GP Short Notes

GP Short Notes # 917, 18 June 2024

Putin visits North Korea after 24 years
Neha Tresa George and Govind Anoop

On 17 June, The New York Times reported on the upcoming two-day visit of Vladimir Putin, Russian President to hold meeting with North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. This was the second meeting since September 2023, when both met in Russia. According to the report, Russia seeks to strengthen their military ties to support its forces engaged in Ukraine while North Korea in exchange seeks Russia’s help to increase its nuclear capabilities to bring back the cold-war military alliance with Russia.

The announcement comes after the Russia vowed to cooperate with North Korea “in all areas.” According to the report, Russia needs conventional weapons especially artillery shells which North Korea has sufficient in number. In return, Kim aims to gain Russia’s advanced military technologies. Since 2022, the officials of the US and South Korea observed that North Korea had sent thousands of shipments containing munitions and in exchange received containers with economic and other aid from Russia. Although both countries denied trading arms, which is banned under the UN. The G7 leaders have also strongly condemned their increasing military cooperation including North Korea’s export of ballistic missiles and Russia’s usage against Ukraine.

On 18 June, Putin highlighted their common stance on the issues brought up at the UN. Tourism, culture, space technology and education would also be common interests to work together according to Putin. This was also highlighted when Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea visited Russia in 2023. Due to the international isolation Russia faces sanctions, it has chosen to join hands with North Korea, any ally that has experienced the same for several years. The US, South Korea and Ukraine have accused North Korea for supplying weapons to Russia, while the parties have denied calling it “absurd.”

In the visit, Putin will be accompanied by Andrei Beluosov, Defence Minister, Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister and Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister who has played an important role in Russia’s energy policy. In a note directed at both his citizens and foreign readers, Putin put forth his support for North Korea and mentioned Russia’s readiness to work with the North Korea to develop alternate methods of trade and mutual settlements to counter western sanctions.

References
Choe Sang-Hun “
In Need of Munitions, Putin to Visit North Korea,” The New York Times, 17 June 2024
Russia's Putin in rare visit to North Korea”, Deutsche Welle, 18 June 2024
Статья Владимира Путина в газете «Нодон синмун» «Россия и КНДР: традиции дружбы и сотрудничества сквозь года»Kremlin, 18 June 2024

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