In the last few years, the world of politics has changed a lot, with North Korea and Russia’s alliance getting stronger. Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, has said that Pyongyang is ready to give “unconditional support” to everything Russia does in its war against Ukraine. This support comes during the ongoing war that started with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has been widely condemned around the world.
This blog looks at the growing strategic cooperation between North Korea and Russia, focusing on the military support that North Korea gives to Russia, their mutual defence pact, and the bigger political effects of their partnership.
Sergey Lavrov’s Trip to North Korea
Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, recently worked three days in North Korea. This was a further milestone in the two countries’ efforts to improve their relationship. Lavrov’s trip was a big deal for diplomacy because he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Wonsan, a city on the coast of North Korea. This meeting showed how the two countries are working together more and more, particularly because of the war in Ukraine and changes in the world order.
Lavrov and Choe Son Hui, his North Korean counterpart, had their second strategic dialogue during this visit. They promised to work together more. Lavrov also delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that he wanted the two countries to keep working together and get to know each other better.
How North Korea Helps Russia’s Military
One of the most interesting things about the relationship between North Korea and Russia is that Pyongyang has given Moscow military support. More than 10,000 North Korean troops have gone to help Russian troops fight against Ukraine in the last two years. This help has come in the form of people, weapons, and ammunition, among other things.
People all over the world have become extremely worried about North Korea’s involvement in the conflict, especially because it could mean that Russia gives North Korea sensitive military technologies. Even though there are heavy international sanctions towards them, the two countries have been able to reinforce each other’s strategic positions with the help of troops and resources.
During his meeting with Lavrov, Kim Jong Un said again that North Korea would fully support Russia’s efforts to deal with the “root cause” of the Ukrainian crisis. This promise shows how the two countries’ military and political ties have grown stronger. North Korea says that its support is essential for achieving peace and security around the world.
Strategic Cooperation and What It Means for Geopolitics
Kim Jong Un and Sergey Lavrov talked about different parts of their relationship, with a focus on how the global political situation is changing. Kim said that the actions taken by North Korea and Russia would do a lot to make the world safer and more peaceful. In a world where tensions are rising between Western powers and countries that aren’t under their control, both leaders are clearly trying to show that they are on the same side.
This planned partnership between Russia and North Korea is part of a larger plan to counter the power of the US and its allies. The growing military and economic ties between the two countries worry Western powers, especially since North Korea is still making progress on its own nuclear and missile programmes.
The leaders of both countries think that their partnership is important for fixing what they see as issues with the balance of power in the world. Russia and North Korea want to protect their independence and fight what they see as foreign interference in their own and other countries’ affairs by working together.
The Military Agreement and the Mutual Defence Pact
Last year, North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defence pact that formalises their military cooperation and strengthens their alliance even more. This agreement is especially important because it makes it easier for the two countries to help each other in times of conflict, like in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to North Korea last year demonstrated how important this military agreement is. This rare visit strengthened the military ties between the two heavily sanctioned countries and made their shared promise to help each other in times of need even stronger.
Putin’s Message to Lavrov – A Promise to Keep Talking
Lavrov brought a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim Jong Un during his visit. The message said that Putin wanted to keep talking directly with North Korea. Putin’s message makes it clear that Russia sees North Korea as an increasingly important ally in its global strategy, especially in its fight with Ukraine.
Lavrov’s comments about the ongoing cooperation show that Russia and North Korea are ready to keep working together strategically, with a focus on increasing military cooperation, economic ties, and diplomatic relations. The two countries’ relationship isn’t just about the war in Ukraine; it also includes other global issues where their interests are the same, like fighting against Western influence and economic sanctions.
North Korea and Russia Working Together in the Military and Economy
Russia and North Korea work together militarily and have strong economic ties as well. Russia has assisted North Korea with its military and the economy in exchange for North Korea’s help in Ukraine. This includes money to help North Korea’s economy, which has been hurt a lot by international sanctions.
People are also worried that advanced military technologies could be sent from Russia to North Korea. These kinds of transfers could greatly improve North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, which would make things worse in the area, especially with South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The reality that North Korea is still making nuclear weapons is a major point of contention between the country and the rest of the world.
Flights and tourism programmes are back on track.
Russia has started direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang again, with two flights a week to start. This is to strengthen their ties even more. This step is meant to make it easier for people in the two countries to connect and do business with each other. It could even lead to Russian tourists going to North Korea.
Wonsan, the coastal city where Lavrov’s talks took place, is also being marketed as a place for tourists to visit. North Korea is trying to boost its tourism industry, which is a key part of its plan to revive its struggling economy. One way it is doing this is by getting more people from Russia to visit Wonsan. The Wonsan-Kalma resort, which can hold almost 20,000 people, is at the heart of this plan. However, it is unclear how well it will work because North Korea’s borders are closed.
What Lavrov Knows About North Korea’s Nuclear Programme
Lavrov also said he understood why North Korea wanted nuclear weapons. He said the country needed them to protect itself from what it saw as threats from the U.S. and its allies. Russia’s acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear goals strengthens their strategic partnership and brings their interests into line with those of the rest of the world.
Lavrov’s comments show that Russia continues to back North Korea’s nuclear goals, which have been a source of conflict for the international community, especially the U.S. and its East Asian allies.
Future Engagements and Prospects
As the relationship between Russia and North Korea changes, people are expecting more visits and exchanges at the highest levels. Andrei Rudenko, Lavrov’s deputy, said that more delegations would go to North Korea later this year. This shows that they are more committed to their partnership.
North Korea is a key player in the ongoing war in Ukraine because it supports Russia’s military and is strategically important in global politics. The Pyongyang-Moscow alliance will have big effects on security in the region and around the world as the two countries work together more and more.
An alliance with global effects that is planned
North Korea’s unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine shows how close the two countries are becoming. Russia and North Korea are becoming strong partners in the face of growing Western opposition by working together in military, economic, and strategic ways.
Their alliance will continue, thanks to military agreements, economic aid, and mutual defence pacts. This marks a new chapter in global geopolitics. North Korea is a very important ally in Russia’s war with Ukraine, and the two countries are working together more and more, which will have big effects on the world.
