The Global Heroes

SOCIAL MEDIA

18th June 2024 By The Global Heroes Conflict

Putin Pledges Support for North Korea against US Amid Strengthening Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed on Tuesday to bolster trade and security ties with North Korea and support it against the United States, marking his first visit to the reclusive nuclear-armed country in 24 years.

The U.S. and its Asian allies are grappling with the extent of Russia’s commitment to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whose country is the only one to have conducted nuclear weapon tests in the 21st century. Indicating a potential shift in Russia’s stance on North Korea, Putin commended Pyongyang for standing firm against what he termed U.S. economic pressure, blackmail, and threats.

In an article published by North Korean state media, Putin praised "Comrade" Kim and pledged to "jointly resist illegitimate unilateral restrictions," aiming to enhance trade and strengthen security across Eurasia. "Washington, refusing to implement previously reached agreements, continuously puts forward new, increasingly stringent and unacceptable demands," Putin stated in the article featured on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, the North Korean ruling Workers' Party mouthpiece.

"Russia has always supported and will continue to support the DPRK and the heroic Korean people in their opposition to the insidious, dangerous, and aggressive enemy," Putin asserted. He highlighted that the Soviet Union was the first to recognize the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), founded by Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, shortly before the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950.

North Korean state media also published articles lauding Russia and backing its military actions in Ukraine, describing them as a "sacred war of all Russian citizens." Putin’s visit comes amid U.S. accusations that North Korea has supplied "dozens of ballistic missiles and over 11,000 containers of munitions to Russia" for the conflict in Ukraine, concerns echoed by South Korea, a close U.S. ally.

The White House expressed alarm on Monday over the deepening Russia-North Korea relationship, while the U.S. State Department voiced certainty that Putin would seek arms support for his war in Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied arms transfers but have vowed to enhance military ties, potentially including joint drills.

Russia, expected to outproduce the entire NATO alliance in ammunition production this year, aims to underscore its disruptive potential on global crises with Putin’s visit. In March, Russia vetoed the annual renewal of a panel monitoring U.N. sanctions enforcement against North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, revealed that Russia and North Korea might sign a partnership agreement during the visit, encompassing security issues. While not aimed against any specific country, the deal would "outline prospects for further cooperation." The visit is set to include one-on-one discussions between the leaders, a gala concert, state reception, honor guards, document signings, and a media statement, as reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency.

Putin’s delegation includes prominent officials such as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and other key ministers and agency heads. Satellite imagery suggests North Korea may be preparing for a military parade in Pyongyang ahead of the summit.

Victor Cha, a former U.S. national security official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that this summit poses the greatest threat to U.S. national security since the Korean War. "This relationship, deep in history and reinvigorated by the war in Ukraine, undermines the security of Europe, Asia, and the U.S. homeland," he wrote, urging Washington to collaborate with Europe and other partners to increase pressure on Pyongyang.

Since 2006, North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, with measures intensifying over time. The Security Council remains divided on how to handle Pyongyang, with Russia and China arguing against more sanctions and condemning U.S.-South Korea military drills as provocative. They vetoed a U.S.-led initiative for additional sanctions two years ago following renewed North Korean ballistic missile launches.

Related Posts