The battle group led by the nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan of the United States of America (USA) arrived in South Korea on 12 October 2023 as a show of force against North Korea. Meanwhile, North Korean President Kim Jong Un announced that they are determined to strengthen relations with Russia. [1]
US naval ships participated in the South Korea-US-Japan naval exercises in the international waters of the East China Sea. Later, these ships arrived in Busan Port of South Korea. [2]
This can be seen as a strategic step taken by the United States in response to North Korea’s advancing nuclear programme. Remaining in Busan until 16 October 2023, the naval group flagship was the first US aircraft carrier to arrive in South Korea since March 2023. [3]
North Korea regards the deployment of such a strong American military presence as a major security threat. Therefore, the move could be provocative for Pyongyang. In October 2022, the USS Ronald Reagan conducted joint military exercises with South Korean forces on the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. At that time, North Korea said that the deployment of the ship had a “huge negative impact” on regional security and conducted ballistic missile tests. [4]
This is an important example for understanding the impact of tensions and displays of power in international relations on regional stability and security. South Korea’s hosting of such an American military presence and North Korea’s reaction to it are important for the balance of power, military strategies and diplomatic relations in the region.
Russia has allegedly asked North Korea for help in replenishing its stockpile of conventional weapons, depleted by the protracted war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang was reportedly interested in receiving sophisticated weapons technology from Moscow. At a time of such concerns, the visit of the American warship group to South Korea could be a serious message of intimidation to North Korea.
Many experts believe that Kim will seek Russia’s help in building weapons systems targeting the United States and South Korea. Westerners, and especially Washington, claim that Moscow and Pyongyang are violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
On 12 October 2023, Kim and Putin exchanged messages marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message to Putin, Kim stated that he was “very pleased” with his visit to Russia and expressed his belief that relations between the two countries would develop to a new level. Kim also expressed his belief that the Russian people “will defeat the imperialists’ continuous hegemonic policies and their attempts to isolate and strangle Russia”. [5]
Kim’s visit to Russia reflects his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. This visit is important for understanding the changing dynamics of North Korea’s foreign policy strategy and its relations with regional powers. Moreover, North Korea’s attempts to increase its military capacity by acquiring weapons technologies from Russia may have critical consequences for international security and balances. In conclusion, such rapprochement initiatives of North Korea with Russia lead to new strategic moves by the United States. This creates a sensitivity that could transform the structure of the international system in the long term.
[1] “US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in South Korea as North’s Leader Kim Exchanges Messages with Putin”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/asia-pacific/, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.10.2023).
[2] Same page.
[3] “US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in South Korea as North’s Leader Kim Exchanges Messages with Putin”, The Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/us-aircraft-carrier-arrives-in-south-korea-as-norths-leader-kim-exchanges-messages-with-putin/articleshow/104357099.cms?from=mdr, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.10.2023).
[4] “US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in South Korea as North’s Leader Kim Exchanges Messages with Putin”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/asia-pacific/, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.10.2023).
[5] Same page.
