Under the backdrop of being isolated due to sanctions imposed by Western countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, sparking global concerns over the potential formation of a military alliance between Russia and North Korea. Experts analyze that within the axis of China, North Korea, and Russia, there are cracks, with the key question being who is the top leader.
According to the Kremlin’s announcement, Putin visited North Korea on June 18th and 19th, followed by a visit to Vietnam from the 19th to the 20th.
TASS reported spokesperson Yuri Ushakov stating that Putin arrived in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, on the evening of the 18th to sign several “important” documents with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, including a possible agreement on a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Ushakov emphasized at a press conference that the schedule would focus on an informal meeting between Putin and Kim Jong-un.
On the Kremlin’s website, an article written by Putin for the North Korean newspaper “Rodong Sinmun” mentioned plans to develop alternative trade and settlement mechanisms not under Western control.
According to a report by Yonhap News Agency on the 17th, Putin’s state visit to North Korea marks his return after 24 years since July 2000, and nine months after his meeting with Kim Jong-un in Russia last September.
Since Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022, relations between Russia and North Korea have deepened. Following the Russia-North Korea summit held in September last year, it was reported that North Korea provided weapons for the Russia-Ukraine war.
The main focus of the Russia-North Korea summit is believed to be their level of military cooperation. After hinting at providing satellite technology to North Korea during the Russia-North Korea summit in September last year, there are expectations for establishing a close military cooperation relationship equivalent to automatic military intervention in times of crisis based on Putin’s visit to North Korea.
The employment of North Korean labor by Russia could also be a topic of discussion. Despite violating UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea by signing labor employment contracts, Russia is reportedly considering involving North Korean labor in reconstruction projects.
Regarding Putin’s visit to North Korea, Professor Zhang Tianliang from the Department of Humanities at Feiteng University in the United States noted in a program called “Break of Dawn” that besides the potential military agreements between Russia and North Korea, similar treaties exist between China and North Korea, thus binding China to Russia’s “war chariot.”
Zhang Tianliang believes that if Russia and North Korea form an alliance, it could lead to North Korea breaking free from China’s control, a situation that China definitely does not want to see. Therefore, uncertainties still exist in this military alliance between Russia and North Korea.
Zhang Tianliang further points out, “On the other hand, although China, North Korea, and Russia are known as the ‘Axis of Evil,’ there are cracks within this axis, with the key issue being who is the top leader.” He mentioned that Putin believes he is the leader of this axis, and even though Putin may have needs from China, he has never bowed down. The absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent Switzerland Peace Summit was seen as a response to Putin’s request, indicating that in the Russia-Ukraine war, it is Putin who calls the shots rather than China.
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