North Korea has largely been left alone in the international arena due to the nuclear activities and missile tests it has been pursuing. Allegations that Pyongyang secretly provided weapons during the Russia-Ukraine War are among the most controversial activities mentioned by North Korea.
It is an extremely important development that North Korean President Kim Jong Un will travel to Russia for a wide-ranging meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 12, 2023. [1] . At the same time, it is known that high-ranking personnel and important military officials of North Korea’s weapons industry have also traveled to Russia with Kim.[2]
Considering that Kim rarely travels abroad and has left his country only seven times during his 12-year rule, this visit becomes even more meaningful. In addition, Russian officials have indicated that the talks may also include humanitarian assistance to North Korea and UN Security Council resolutions on Pyongyang.[3]
On the other hand, US officials have stated that arms talks between Russia and North Korea are progressing and that Kim and Putin will discuss Decoupling weapons for the war in Ukraine. Monday September September 11, 2023 Putin will arrive in Vladivostok and participate in the Eastern Economic Forum, which will last until Wednesday September 13, 2023, it was reported by the TASS News Agency. There has been no confirmation on the location of the meeting between Kim and Putin or whether Kim will attend the economic forum.
It is generally thought in the West that from Kim’s vast stockpile of weapons, Russia could replenish its capabilities, such as artillery shells, in the short term. But questions about the quality of the ammunition could limit the overall impact. Chang Ho-jin, Deputy Foreign Minister of South Korea and former Ambassador to Russia, stated that it would be in Moscow’s interest for Russia to consider its international stance after the Ukrainian conflict and adhere to the current nuclear non-proliferation regime. He stressed that the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang would constitute a violation of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). [4]
It can be said that Pyongyang and Moscow also have a close relationship politically. This closeness supports the claims in question. Both countries currently exhibit similar attitudes in foreign policy due to their opposition to the Western-based system and isolation by the international community. In the formation of this closeness, the attempt to isolate both states through sanctions can be considered an important factor. [5]
When these allegations were put forward, Evgeny Prigojin, a Russian businessman and Wagner’s former leader, described the allegations that Pyongyang had supplied Wagner with weapons as “speculation”. Prigojin noted that North Korea has not made any weapons deliveries to Russia for a long time.[6]
It can be said that this situation will increase the pressure on both Russia and North Korea. There is a possibility that the sanctions imposed on Russia will be toughened because North Korea is hostile to Western states and is perceived as a significant nuclear threat. For this reason, it is thought that the pressure on North Korea may increase due to the developments in Ukraine. It is estimated that weapons support shared with a controversial group, especially by Western states such as Wagner, could increase Pyongyang’s isolation.
As a result, it is known that Russia is facing many difficulties in the war in Ukraine, and these difficulties are increasing. On the other hand, North Korea is an actor that threatens regional and global security due to its ballistic missile tests and creating a nuclear threat. Due to this situation of Pyongyang, various exercises are taking place in the Asia-Pacific region in partnership with the United States, Japan and South Korea. However, North Korea is able to overcome the sanctions pressure imposed by the UN Security Council through Russia. For this reason, it can be foreseen that the parties are cooperating in the face of global and regional challenges and that they can further strengthen this cooperation. Therefore, it is natural that allegations of secret weapons supply between North Korea and Russia should come up.
[1] “North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in Russia Amid U.S. Warnings not to Sell Arms”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-russia-amid-us-warnings-not-sell-arms-2023-09-12/, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.09.2023).
[2] “Armored Train Carrying North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Crosses into Russia Ahead of Putin Meeting”, Cable News Network News, https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/11/asia/kim-jong-un-north-korea-russia-meeting-intl-hnk/index.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.09.2023).
[4] “North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in Russia Amid U.S. Warnings not to Sell Arms”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-russia-amid-us-warnings-not-sell-arms-2023-09-12/, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.09.2023).
[3] “North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in Russia Amid U.S. Warnings not to Sell Arms”, The Asahi Shimbun, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15003416, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.09.2023).
[5] “Пригожин отверг заявления США о поставках оружия КНДР для ЧВК “Вагнер”, TACC, https://tass.ru/politika/16671043, (Erişim Tarihi: 12.09.2023)
[6] Aynı yer.
