North Korean Foreign Policy
In the past two decades, North Korean foreign policy has been dominated by its alliance with Russia. According to the Economist, the two countries have “forged deep military and economic ties.” This has enabled Pyongyang to maintain a degree of independence from its often-unstable neighbors and has allowed Russia to secure a foothold in the volatile region.
The two countries have a shared history, with both emerging from the ashes of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War. Their bilateral ties have been strengthened by the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, who first held talks with President Vladimir Putin in 2018.
Since then, Putin has proved to be a valuable ally for the North Korean leader, with Russia providing diplomatic cover and economic assistance in the face ofinternational sanctions. Moscow has also granted Kim Jong Un a personal platform to express his views on the world stage, a move which has been warmly welcomed by Pyongyang.
This year, the two countries have continued to strengthen their relationship, signing an agreement that will reportedly see Moscow provide Pyongyang with much-needed medical aid. This further underlines the importance of the two countries’ alliance and raises the question: will North Korea be a part of the Russia-hosted 2022 World Cup?
Will North Korea Play in Russia 2022?
At present, it appears unlikely that North Korea would be invited to join Russia 2022. This is mainly due to the highly charged geopolitical situation between Pyongyang and neighboring countries, particularly South Korea. Despite being formally declared as one nation in the 1953 armistice agreement, the two countries have frequently clashed over the decades, with Pyongyang accusing Seoul of disregarding the Korean ethnic identity. Pyongyang’s reluctance to normalize relations with the South has meant that Seoul has consistently blocked any attempts by North Korea to join international sporting events.
Nevertheless, there has been some speculation that North Korea could be allowed to present its case to the FIFA executive committee and perhaps even take part in the 2022 World Cup as a special guest. The idea of North Korean participation has been discussed in Russian and international media, although it has been largely dismissed by experts, as it is seen as highly unlikely given the current strained relations.
The most likely scenario appears to be that North Korea will not be asked to join Russia 2022. This is despite the fact that both Russia and North Korea have expressed a desire to increase cooperation in the region, and that the North has developed strong ties with Russia. However, it seems that international politics and security issues remain a stumbling block to North Korean involvement in the tournament.
North Korean Athletes
Regardless of whether North Korea takes part in the Russia 2022 World Cup or not, it is certain that the North will still have a presence at the tournament. A number of North Korean athletes are currently competing on the international stage and will likely qualify for the event. This includes athletes such as weightlifters, fencers, shooters, and boxers, all of whom have achieved considerable success at previous World Cup tournaments.
It is worth noting that North Korean athletes have so far been excluded from high-profile international competitions, such as the Olympic Games. This is because many countries are wary of associating themselves with the North, given its controversial human rights record. However, the World Cup appears to be an exception, where North Korean athletes have enjoyed greater freedom to compete. For instance, the North’s women’s football team received a rare invitation to the tournament in 2015. Similarly, the North’s table tennis team was allowed to compete in the World Cup in 2018, even though their relations with the South had become increasingly strained.
It is unclear exactly what role North Korean athletes will play at the Russia 2022 World Cup, but it is likely that they will receive a warm welcome from both the Russian government and the millions of spectators expected to attend the tournament.
North Korean Perspective
Looking at the situation from a North Korean perspective, it seems clear that Pyongyang is keen to take part in the tournament. This is evidenced by the recent visits to Russia by North Korean officials, which have included high-level meetings with senior Russian ministers. Similarly, North Korean media outlets have given extensive coverage to the tournament, with some commentators speculating that the country could be “invited to join the game in 2022”.
Nevertheless, it is equally clear that North Korean participation in the World Cup will depend on the political situation in the region. As has been noted previously, the North’s relationship with its neighbors remains highly strained and this presents an obstacle to Pyongyang taking part in the tournament. Indeed, even if the North gains an invitation, it is unlikely that the South would agree to the North’s involvement, given the deep-rooted distrust between the two countries.
Nevertheless, North Korean participation in the tournament could have a considerable impact on the geopolitical climate of the region. There is speculation that Pyongyang would use the event to build bridges and improve diplomatic relations with its neighboring countries. This could help to ease tensions and create a more peaceful and stable region.
International Perspectives
From an international perspective, there is a growing recognition that sport can play an important role in conflict resolution and diplomacy. The United Nations, for instance, has long advocated for sport as a tool for dialogue and understanding between countries. As such, the possibility of North Korean involvement in the Russia 2022 World Cup could be a potentially valuable opportunity to help rebuild diplomatic ties in the region.
International organizations like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have traditionally been reluctant to allow North Korea to participate in international competitions due to fears of political instability and the possibility of athletes being used as pawns in diplomatic negotiations. However, there is now a growing acceptance of North Korea’s potential contribution to world sport and there is hope that the country may be able to take part in the 2022 event, albeit in a limited form.
Of course, there are risks associated with allowing North Korean athletes to take part in the tournament. There is a concern that the North Korean government could use the event for propaganda purposes. Furthermore, the security of North Korean athletes could be a source of worry for the tournament’s organizers. Nonetheless, the positive potential of North Korean involvement in the Russia 2022 World Cup should not be underestimated.
Russia’s Role
The fact that Russia is hosting the tournament also increases the likelihood of North Korean participation. Moscow is an important ally of Pyongyang and, as such, could be instrumental in facilitating North Korea’s potential involvement in the tournament.
Moscow has a long history of involvement in the Korean peninsula and is seen as a key security guarantor in the region. The Russian government has also made clear its support for North Korea, with President Vladimir Putin stating that he “will do everything possible to develop friendly relations” between the two countries.
Russia is also one of the few countries that can act as an intermediary between North Korea and its neighboring states. This provides the country with an important opportunity to help facilitate positive relations between the two sides and to promote regional cooperation.
In the context of the Russia 2022 World Cup, therefore, Moscow could play an important role in encouraging North Korea to take part in the tournament. It would be in Russia’s interests to demonstrate its diplomatic leadership in the region and to provide North Korea with a platform to display its sporting prowess.
Conclusion
Overall, it seems unlikely that North Korea will be invited to join the Russia 2022 World Cup. Nonetheless, Pyongyang is keen to take part and numerous international organizations have recognized the potential positive benefits of North Korean involvement.
Russia, in particular, could play a key role in facilitating North Korea’s involvement in the tournament. Moscow is seen as an important guarantor of security in the region and has a long history of involvement in Korean affairs. As such, it could be instrumental in helping to improve diplomatic relations between the North and its neighbors and in providing North Korean athletes with a much-needed platform to demonstrate their sporting prowess on the world stage.
