North Korea stated its determination to expand its relations with Russia on October 28, 2023, and rejected the recent allegations made by the United States (US), and its allies regarding weapon shipments between Pyongyang and Moscow, and emphasized that these were completely political and distorted news.[1]
Making a statement on this issue, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui condemned the military cooperation between the USA, South Korea and Japan and emphasized that relations with Moscow would be a “strong strategic” element that endangered security in the region.[2]
The USA, South Korea and Japan claimed that North Korea was supplying weapons and military equipment to Russia and announced that some of such arms shipments were detected. Russia and North Korea rejected these allegations.
The USA, South Korea, and Japan express their concerns about North Korea’s arms shipments to Russia. This is important for regional security issues and the potential effects of North Korea’s arms supply on stability in the region.
Choe Son Hui used the following statements:[3]
“If they wanted to prove that the area of special cooperation posed a ‘threat’ to international peace and security, they needed to make clear in advance why their tripartite military alliance was not considered a threat to regional peace and security.”
The United States, South Korea and Japan are increasing trilateral security cooperation by countering North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. North Korean President Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Russia’s Far Eastern province in September 2023 and committed to closer military cooperation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Kim Jong-un in October 2023 and they discussed the implementation of the agreements made at the summit.
Cooperation between the aforementioned tripartite military alliance of the United States, South Korea and Japan is strengthening in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. This further escalates regional tensions.
Choe Son Hui said the following about the issue in question: [4]
“North Korea has the determination and stance to comprehensively expand and develop relations with Russia. “Our relations will reach a ‘new high level’ with the full implementation of the agreements.”
It can be said that Pyongyang’s desire to expand its relations with Moscow stems from North Korea’s international isolation. This could be part of the country’s foreign policy strategy. Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia could impact regional security dynamics. Russia’s decision to engage in such cooperation with North Korea can be seen as an effort to increase Russia’s influence in the region.
On the other hand, propaganda and rhetoric are part of North Korea’s national identity and foreign policy strategy. Using such rhetoric to improve diplomatic relations reflects North Korea’s foreign policy strategy.
As a result, the criticism of North Korea’s relations with Russia by the USA, South Korea and Japan is a sensitive issue in terms of regional security and the future of the international system. North Korea’s desire to overcome its international isolation with Russia and improve its diplomatic relations may affect the balance of power in the region.
[1] “North Korea Says US And Allies’ Criticism Of Its Ties With Russia ‘Distorted’”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/north-korea-says-us-allies-criticism-its-ties-with-russia-distorted-2023-10-27/, (Erişim Tarihi: 28.10.2023).
[2] Same page.
[3] Same page.
[4] Same place.
