Economy
China and Russia’s economic motivations for supporting North Korea are complex, but there are some common threads. Firstly, both countries are heavily dependent on natural resources which North Korea has to offer. China and Russia have both established vast trading networks in North Korea, and the country is a crucial partner in their regional economic strategies. Furthermore, China and Russia have both sought to use North Korea as a useful ally in their geopolitical ambitions, using the country to strategically counterbalance the United States and its allies.
North Korea’s markets are small and its economy is hamstrung by sanctions, but even small parts of the country’s markets can be attractive to investors in China and Russia. North Korea is also attractive for investment because it provides an opportunity for cheap labor, enabling large corporations to benefit from cheap labor costs and favorable economic conditions. Additionally, North Korea’s minerals, coal, and other natural resources can be extremely lucrative for Chinese and Russian investors.
China and Russia have also supported the Kim regime for political reasons. Both countries have a vested interest in preserving the stability of the Korean peninsula, and a strong ally in North Korea helps them do that. Another motivation for supporting North Korea is to preserve its distinct political identity from the United States and its allies, and to maintain a rivalry with them.
Geopolitical Position
China and Russia have both sought to use the North Korean issue as a way to further their geopolitical ambitions. By providing support to North Korea, China and Russia are asserting their influence in the region and sending an implicit message to the United States and its allies that they will not be allowed to unilaterally dictate events in North East Asia.
The North Korean issue has also been a useful tool for China and Russia to increase their influence in international institutions like the United Nations. By working together to support North Korea, China and Russia are able to leverage their collective power in global diplomatic arenas and put pressure on the United States and its allies to adopt more favorable policies towards North Korea.
Russia and China have also sought to protect North Korea from more powerful adversaries, such as the United States. By providing economic and military support to North Korea, the two countries are effectively shielding it from outside interference and providing it with the resources it needs to maintain its political system.
Mutual Interests
China and Russia have a lot in common when it comes to their relationship with North Korea. Both countries are concerned about preserving Korean unity and preventing the emergence of two separate states on the Korean peninsula. This would create additional instability in the region and undermine the authority of both countries.
China and Russia have both sought to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles; both countries are convinced that unrestricted North Korean nuclear development would spark an arms race in the region, potentially leading to a new Cold War. To prevent this, both countries have sought to impose economic sanctions on North Korea, as well as providing diplomatic and military assistance.
Finally, both countries have sought to use North Korea as a proxy in their regional ambitions. By providing assistance to North Korea, both countries are effectively increasing their regional influence and working to counterbalance the United States and its allies.
Security
China and Russia have both had important security interests, in regards to North Korea. Russia is eager to keep a close relationship with North Korea, to ensure that the country does not become a US ally. Russia is also worried about the defeat of North Korea, as this could lead to a prolonged period of instability in the region, which would be detrimental to Russia’s interests.
China also seeks to ensure that North Korea does not become a US ally. China is worried about the US presence in the region, and North Korea is a key buffer state, preventing US forces from getting too close to Chinese territory. Furthermore, China views North Korea as a useful ally in the region, and is wary of the potential effect that its collapse could have on regional stability.
Diplomacy
China and Russia have both sought to use diplomacy to advance their interests with North Korea. China has sought to be friendly with North Korea, while at the same time working to increase economic ties with it. This has included trade deals and investment in North Korea, as well as providing diplomatic support to North Korea at the UN.
Russia has sought to use its close relationship with North Korea to advance its aims in the region. Russia has provided economic and military aid to North Korea, as well as diplomatic support at the UN. Furthermore, Russia has been active in attempts to broker peace between North Korea and its adversaries, such as the United States.
Both China and Russia have used diplomacy as a way to increase their influence in North Korea, while at the same time ensuring that North Korea does not become a US ally.
The Complex Relationship
It is clear that the relationship between China and Russia and North Korea is complex and multi-faceted. On one hand, both countries are motivated by economic interests, as North Korea provides a source of natural resources and cheap labor. On the other hand, both countries have also sought to use North Korea as a proxy in their geopolitical ambitions, as well as to preserve the stability of the Korean peninsula.
It is this combination of economic and geopolitical motivations that has led China and Russia to provide support to the North Korean regime. While the United States and its allies have sought to pressure North Korea, China and Russia have sought to provide economic and diplomatic assistance to North Korea, as well as military support.
Ultimately, China and Russia’s support of North Korea is an attempt to preserve their influence in the region and protect their own interests. It is clear that North Korea will continue to be a key factor in regional relations, and China and Russia are determined to ensure that the country remains an ally.
