Putin May Transfer 'Advanced Technology' to Kim Jong-un... Experts Divided

Park Wongon "Russia Does Not Transfer Technology Even to Allies"
Hong Hyunik "Is There Anything More Important Than Winning the War?"

Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, who is visiting Russia for the first time in four years, will hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 13th. Attention is focused on whether Russia will provide not only food and fertilizer but also some advanced technology in exchange for North Korea's conventional weapons. Among experts, opinions are divided, and even if technology is transferred, there are views that North Korea's lack of operational capability will prevent proper utilization.

Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University and a diplomatic expert, said on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" on the 13th, "Historically, Russia has never transferred advanced weapon system technology from the Soviet era to the present," adding, "no matter how close the ally, they did not provide it. Even to China, which was the closest during the Korean War, they said they would provide fighter jets but did not."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea presented the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines and military reconnaissance satellites as five major defense tasks in 2021, but this year it has failed twice in launching military reconnaissance satellites, making the introduction of technology from Russia urgent. Without technology transfer from Russia, it will also be difficult to complete nuclear-powered submarines early. Accordingly, there is speculation that North Korea will provide weapons to Russia, which is suffering from a shortage of conventional war weapons, and receive technology in return at this summit.

However, considering that Russia has never transferred advanced weapon technology even to its allies, Professor Park points out that the possibility of technology transfer is low. Former Director of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy Kim Jun-hyung also dismissed the possibility of technology transfer on CBS's "Park Jae-hong's One-on-One" the day before, saying, "It is really premature to speculate that they will immediately provide ICBMs, space technology, or nuclear submarines."

On the other hand, considering that Russia is struggling in the Ukraine war due to a shortage of conventional weapons, there are opinions that the possibility of advanced technology transfer cannot be ruled out. Former Director of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy Hong Hyun-ik said on MBC's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," "Russia is currently (at war)," adding, "Imagine if our country were at war now. Is there anything more important than winning a war?" He predicted that Russia might transfer technologies such as ICBMs.

He mentioned that the two leaders are meeting in Amur Oblast, where the Sukhoi fighter jet production site is located, saying, "If (North Korea) obtains fighter jets, our country's air force superiority over North Korea could be offset," and "The visit of the Minister of Natural Resources to meet (General Secretary Kim) means that North Korea is currently short of oil, so they can provide oil."

He added, "Then they can provide space development technology, ICBM atmospheric re-entry technology, nuclear submarine technology, and aircraft."

Even if technology is transferred to North Korea, there are concerns that North Korea's low technological level and lack of infrastructure will prevent proper operation. Jo Han-beom, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification and a Russia expert, said on SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" on the 13th, "From General Secretary Kim's perspective, he is greedy because he needs nuclear-powered submarines and must complete ICBMs. But, for example, if they give nuclear-powered submarine technology, it is like giving a steak to a baby," adding, "they won't be able to use it. For example, even if the U.S. changes its mind and gives us nuclear-powered submarine technology, it would take us 10 to 20 years to produce it."