Russia’s alliance with North Korea | Research paper |19-july-2024
Introduction
The post-Cold War world was characterized by unipolarity; however, the international society has gradually shifted from a unipolar to a multipolar world. With the rise of powers like China, Russia, and India, the complexities of the international system have increased. Amidst these circumstances, alliances of major powers serve as a turning point in global politics. In the era of nuclear deterrence, soft power has become a common approach. Countries focus more on building relationships with other countries and increasing their activity in the cooperation sector.
An example of this was evident during the recent summit between President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, which has kept the world on edge. On June 19, 2024, Moscow and Pyongyang made an agreement, called Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. It is not the first time Russia and DPRK have made an arrangement, considering the significance of the Treaty of Friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance concluded in 1961. The history of Russia and Korean relations dates back to the Korean War when the Soviet Union provided military aid to North Korea. In 2014, Russia also wrote off nearly 90% of DPRK’s debt, and in 2024, Russia successfully concluded another agreement based on the development of cooperation and coordination in trade, investment, commerce, and technology.
Among the aspects largely discussed in the meeting, the most important provision was the military dialogue, which has emerged as a key point of international discussion. Russia opens itself to technical military partnership, urging to formalize Russia’s ammunition imports from DRPK. As per Article 4 of the newly concluded treaty, immediate military assistance should be provided to the other party if “it falls into a state of war due to armed invasion from an individual or multiple states.” Interestingly, Russia and North Korea share similar characteristics when it comes to politics. They both have been victims of US policies, have faced isolation, and are deeply aligned in the face of shared animosity towards the West. Similarly, both countries have faced concerns over their growing military cooperation.
Russia’s alliance with DPRK.
Russia has been taking various steps to strengthen its alliance-building efforts and has been focusing more on the soft power approach. Russia’s alliance with China, North Korea, Vietnam, and other countries and its active participation through platforms like BRICS and SCO are becoming a center of attraction. With the increasing threat perception from the US and NATO, Russia is looking for new defensive ways to counter the perceived threat. The military partnership deal with North Korea provides Russia with not only a trusted alliance but also with a military backup which would help Russia in cases of offense and defense. While talking to reporters in Vietnam, Putin clarified that his military deal with North Korea is a mirror response to Western arming against Ukraine. Keeping in view that South Korea has also been delivering non-military aid to Ukraine, North Korea’s decision to side with Russia serves as a warning to Seoul that if things go south in any case, North Korea will not hesitate to take any action to defend itself. Russia, on the other hand, has been increasing its military as a defensive mechanism to NATO, the sense of which increased after its crises with Ukraine erupted. With the current confidence in the military, Russia would be able to continue its war in Ukraine more confidently. Therefore, this military partnership has been intercepted as a threat especially by the US and NATO, specifically due to the ongoing Russo-Ukraine conflict. North Korea has already been accused of aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine, though both countries have denied the accusations. NATO, on the other hand, has called for a meeting between 9th to 11th July to discuss North Korea- Russia military cooperation. The focus of the meeting was the rise of Russia’s military power and how to counter it.
Along with Russia, DPRK has also emerged as the focal point after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that the treaty is directly violating UNSC resolutions on DPRK. It is believed that this new era of cooperation would create complexities between two strategic triangles. With the USA, South Korea, and Japan on one side and Russia, North Korea, and China on the other. This had been evidenced by the Joint statement given by the US, North Korea, and Japan on June 23rd in which they condemned the deepening military relations between the two states.
Conclusion
The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty can have serious implications in the near future, given the US policy of keeping a close eye on Russian moves. However, it has taken a backseat for the time being, as the US presidential elections take center stage. NATO already perceives every action taken by Russia as a threat to its security and existence, and with Seoul and Tokyo coming into the frame, global politics might undergo a paradigm shift specifically in the area of northeast Asia. Once the US is done with the presidential elections, the US would likely focus its attention on the consequences of the treaty, especially in light of its support to Ukraine.
It is also speculated that North Korea could dispatch army engineers to Russian-occupied Donetsk, to rebuild the war-torn region, which is controlled by Russia amid the Russo-Ukraine war. Russia’s policies are already threatening the West, and this treaty opens new fronts for Russia’s defense. Such an action would open a new dimension for the ongoing Ukraine conflict. According to President Kim, this treaty would be a driving force toward a “new multipolar world”, with a balance of power in the West and Asia As a result, one can conclude that this treaty challenges the current world polarity The strengthening of ties between the two powers could be seen as an opportunity for other nations to form alliances to preserve the balance of power.
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