Russia’s Foreign Policy Towards North Korea
Russian foreign policy towards North Korea has been ambiguous and often confusing. On the one hand, Russia has historically been quite close to North Korea, providing economic aid and political support, but on the other hand, Russia has also tried to distance itself from the regime in recent years. Despite the ambiguity of Russia’s approach to North Korea, it seems increasingly likely that Russia will become more involved in the country in the foreseeable future.
Russia is one of the few states that still recognizes North Korea as an independent nation, and there are strong historical, ideological and geopolitical ties between the two countries. Russia has been a close ally of North Korea since the 1950s when the Soviet Union first provided critical economic aid to North Korea. Additionally, many of North Korea’s leaders were educated in the Soviet Union and have a deep understanding of Russian culture and language.
At the same time, North Korea’s human rights record and its nuclear weapons program are a cause of great concern to Russia and other countries. Russia has become increasingly vocal in condemning North Korea’s human rights abuses and even imposed sanctions against North Korea in 2015. Additionally, Russia has strongly opposed North Korea’s efforts to build a nuclear weapons arsenal and has repeatedly called on North Korea to abide by its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations.
What remains to be seen is how Russia will respond to an increasingly belligerent North Korea. Despite Moscow’s regular condemnations of Pyongyang’s actions, it remains to be seen whether Russia is willing to take action to force North Korea to back down from its saber-rattling. Russia has so far opted to take a more muted and diplomatic approach to dealing with the crisis, preferring to work through international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union.
In recent years, Russia has become increasingly involved in the East Asia region, and this is likely to increase in the near future. For example, Russia has joined with China in promoting a regional trading bloc called the Eurasian Economic Union, which could eventually include North Korea as well. Additionally, Russia has committed to modernizing and upgrading North Korea’s railways, airports and other infrastructure and is likely to be involved in other projects in North Korea as well.
Economic Ties Between Russia and North Korea
Aside from diplomatic ties, Russia has also sought to establish and strengthen economic ties with North Korea. For example, two-way trade between Russia and North Korea reached over $100 million in 2016 and is expected to continue to grow in coming years. Russia has also provided economic assistance to North Korea in the form of food, fuel and other types of aid. Additionally, Russia has been interested in developing energy and mineral resources in North Korea and has backed various joint ventures between the two countries.
Russia’s economic relationship with North Korea has also become increasingly intertwined with China’s economic interests in the region. Russia has signed a free-trade agreement with China that covers the border regions in between the two countries, including North Korea. Additionally, Russia has invested heavily in Chinese-sponsored infrastructure projects in North Korea, such as the renovation of the port of Rajin.
Despite these economic ties, Russia’s economic relationship with North Korea is still quite limited. Trade between the two countries is still quite small and there are not many investment opportunities in North Korea. As a result, it remains to be seen whether Russia will be able to develop a full-fledged economic partnership with North Korea in the near future.
Russia’s Strategic Interests in North Korea
Russia’s strategic interests in North Korea go beyond just economics. For example, Russia sees North Korea as a potential buffer state between it and the United States and China, which could lessen the risk of a direct conflict with either of those two countries. Additionally, Russia is keen on stepping up its maritime presence in the East Asian region and North Korea has its own ports and coastlines that could be used for this purpose.
Russia is also keen on preserving North Korea as an independent state, as it serves as an important regional counterweight to the dominance of South Korea and Japan. Additionally, Russia is interested in using North Korea as a means to expand its influence throughout the region, as North Korea serves as an important bridge between East Asia and Russia’s other key allies, including China and Iran.
Russia’s Long-Term Role in North Korea
Given Russia’s strategic interests in North Korea and their close political and economic ties, it is likely that Russia will become increasingly involved in the country in the long-term. Russia’s involvement could include extending economic aid to North Korea, providing diplomatic support and engaging in various joint projects with the North Korean regime. Additionally, Russia could also use its influence to help find a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis in the region and help to bring about a more stable and prosperous future for the people of North Korea.
Russia’s Relationship with North Korean Diaspora
Russia is also likely to become more involved in North Korea’s growing diaspora. North Koreans have been fleeing the country in increasing numbers in recent years and many of them have ended up in Russia. In response, Russia has stepped up its efforts to provide assistance to North Korean refugees, both financially and through programs aimed at helping them integrate into Russian society and learn the Russian language.
Russia has also become an important source of information and support for North Koreans living outside of the country. For example, many North Koreans in Russia rely on news and information from trusted sources in Russia in order to remain informed about events in North Korea. Additionally, many North Koreans in Russia have received job training and other support from the Russian government and diaspora organizations in the country.
Russia’s Contribution to Korean Unification
Finally, Russia could also play a role in helping to bring about the unification of North and South Korea. Russia has already taken steps to build bridges between the two countries, such as signing a joint declaration with South Korea that is aimed at improving economic ties between the two countries and promoting regional peace and stability. Additionally, Russia has supported various multilateral initiatives that could help to bring about a peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula.
It remains to be seen whether and how Russia will become increasingly involved in North Korea in the future, but the country’s strategic and economic interests are likely to make it an important player in the region. Russia’s involvement in North Korea could be crucial to helping to bring about a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis, providing humanitarian aid to the North Korean people and even contributing to the eventual unification of the two Koreas.
Conclusion: Russia’s Growing Involvement in North Korea
Overall, it is clear that Russia is likely to become increasingly involved in North Korea in the near future. Russia has strong economic, political and strategic interests in the region and these are likely to drive its involvement in North Korea in the years ahead. Additionally, Russia could also play an important role in helping to bring about peace, stability and reunification in the region. Despite the complexity of the situation, Russia is likely to remain a key player in North Korea in the coming years.
