Russia’s Position on North Korea
North Korea has long been a thorn in the side of the international community. Questions about how to deal with the leader and his regime are posed daily. Russia, for its part, has publicly taken a cautious stance on North Korea, but questions remain about just how much Russia is really doing to help the nation.
In 2017, Russia and North Korea began to strengthen their ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the first time, followed by several other visits from Russian leaders to Pyongyang. Russia also opened an honorary consulate in North Korea and launched a ferry service between the two countries.
Since then, Putin has stated that North Korea is acting in accordance with sanctions set by the United Nations. Putin has also argued that denuclearizing North Korea must be done through dialogue, rather than imposing harsher sanctions. This stance has put Russia at odds with the United States, which has advocated for a more forceful stance against North Korea.
Despite its supportive tone, it is still unclear how much direct support Russia has given to North Korea. Some experts have argued that North Korea has become reliant on Russian expatriates in the nation, who send funds to the nation to help bolster its economy. Russian tourists have also visited North Korea, bringing foreign currency with them.
Others argue that Russia is using its ties to North Korea as a way to gain international clout. Some have suggested that Russia is providing military and security assistance to North Korea, though Russia denies these claims. By supporting North Korea, Russia is seen as playing an influential role in international diplomacy.
Economic Relations
The economic relationship between Russia and North Korea is complex. Initially, North Korea’s economy was heavily reliant on Russian aid and trade. During the Soviet era, North Korea received generous amounts of aid from the Soviets, which helped the nation’s economy to grow.
Since then, however, the economic ties between the two nations have diminished. In the 1990s, Russia ended its subsidies to North Korea, leading to a sharp decline in the North Korean economy. Trade between the two countries has also decreased significantly since then.
Recent years have seen a modest revival in economic ties, with Russia beginning to invest in North Korea’s infrastructure and energy sector. Russia has also provided North Korea with assistance in developing its mineral resources, such as coal and iron ore, as well as its IT sector.
Some experts argue that Russia’s economic assistance to North Korea is intended to keep the nation dependent on Russia, thereby giving Russia additional leverage in international politics. They suggest that by providing economic aid, Russia gains additional influence in the region.
What Does the Future Hold?
It is difficult to predict the future of the relationship between Russia and North Korea. Some experts argue that, as long as North Korea remains a volatile nation, Russia will seek to maintain its ties to the nation in order to gain international clout.
Others argue that, if North Korea were to become more open, then Russia would be more willing to pursue a cooperative relationship, as it would no longer have to worry about the threat of instability.
Whatever the future holds, it is clear that North Korea and Russia will remain intertwined, whether through cooperation or competition. The two nations, each of which has its own ambitions, will continue to clash in the international arena.
Humanitarian Aid
While Russia does not give direct aid to North Korea, it does provide support in the form of humanitarian aid. Russia works with the United Nations to provide food, medical supplies, and other items to those living in the nation.
The aid is said to be used to help North Koreans who are facing starvation and poor living conditions, as well as to help North Koreans displaced by conflict. North Korean refugees have also been allowed to live in Russia, though they face many restrictions.
Some argue that Russia is merely trying to present a better image of itself to the international community, while others argue that Russia is truly trying to help those who are suffering in North Korea.
Energy Security
Energy security is another important factor in Russia’s relationship with North Korea. North Korea has vowed to expand its energy sector and become a major energy producer. To that end, North Korea has received assistance from Russia to build energy infrastructure, such as power plants, dams, and nuclear plants.
Russia has also promised to provide North Korea with natural gas and oil, which would give the nation greater energy independence. Russia’s assistance in this area has been seen as a signal that it is serious about its commitment to energy security.
Military Aid
Though Russia denies that it is providing military aid to North Korea, it is clear that the two nations have a close relationship. In 2016, North Korea agreed to purchase military equipment from Russia, and there have been reports of joint military exercises between the two nations.
The Russian military is also said to have supplied North Korea with weapons, though there is no definitive proof of this. Furthermore, some argue that North Korea has been able to evade international sanctions due to Russian support.
Whatever the details of the relationship, it is clear that North Korea and Russia are closely aligned. North Korea views Russia as an ally, while Russia views North Korea as a strategic partner.
Conclusion
There is no denying the close relationship between North Korea and Russia. Russia has sought to keep North Korea dependent on its support, while North Korea has sought to strengthen its relationship with Russia in order to gain access to the nation’s resources.
At the same time, Russia has downplayed its support for North Korea, and remains cautious in its dealings with the nation. Regardless of Russia’s true intentions, it is clear that the two nations will continue to be closely connected in the years to come.
