Shoigu held talks in Pyongyang with North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam.
The Russian Defense Minister said that from the first minutes he felt the care and attention of Korean friends during his visit to the DPRK.
Sergei Shoigu expressed his conviction that today's talks… pic.twitter.com/KIlkptoT2I
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Andrei Lankov, a North Korea expert at Seoul’s Kookmin University, opined, “He wants to show he has friends.” He also noted that the current discussions could lead to increased North Korean workers in Russia and some level of military cooperation.
However, the value and impact of any potential deal remain subject to debate. Lankov emphasized, “Without the Ukraine war, Russia would not care about North Korea.” This geopolitical move, he suggests, is primarily aimed at sending a signal to Washington, asserting Russia’s capability to create additional challenges for the United States in East Asia.
Kim’s Strategic Choice: Russia Over China
This potential visit is noteworthy not only for its timing but also for the choice of Russia as the destination. While Kim’s traditional ally and trade partner, China, would have been a more expected choice, this move demonstrates the North Korean leader’s desire to diversify his international engagements. It would be his first overseas trip since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Korea’s foreign ministry has closely monitored these developments and emphasized the importance of adhering to international sanctions, particularly regarding military cooperation with North Korea.
The Kremlin, on the other hand, has expressed its intent to deepen its “mutually respectful relations” with North Korea, a historical Cold War ally and one of the few countries to support Russia’s annexation of parts of Ukraine in 2022. The possibility of Kim’s visit to Moscow underscores the evolving dynamics in the region.
US Concerns and Sanctions Amidst Escalating Diplomacy
In the midst of these diplomatic maneuvers, the United States has voiced concerns over the advancing arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea. The recent exchange of letters between Putin and Kim, following Shoigu’s visit to North Korea, suggests that these talks are progressing, albeit at a surface level, according to the White House. The United States recently imposed sanctions on entities allegedly linked to arms deals between North Korea and Russia.
As the international community watches closely, the outcome of this potential meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin remains uncertain. It can potentially reshape geopolitical dynamics in the region and may hold far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The eyes of the world are now fixed on the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, where these critical discussions may soon occur.
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