North Korea and Russia Continue Close Cooperation... "A Crisis Is Coming to US-Dependent Security"

North Korea: "Russian Foreign Minister's Official Visit to Pyongyang on the 18th"
'Signs of North Korea-Russia Arms Deals Continue, Acceleration Feared'
"Close Ties Between Both Countries Threaten US-Dependent Security System"

As North Korea and Russia continue their close cooperation centered on 'arms transactions,' concerns are emerging that this could also pose a crisis to our security. Since North Korea has refused negotiations with the U.S. following the so-called 'Hanoi No Deal' and is focusing on the North Korea-China-Russia alliance that could ease sanctions, experts point out that if the regional situation escalates to an extreme, it will inevitably deal a blow to our security system, which depends heavily on the United States.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Pyongyang from the 18th to 19th at the invitation of North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Starting with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu's visit to North Korea in July this year, followed by the summit between Chairman Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 13th of last month?the first in four years?and subsequent follow-up measures, high-level exchanges between North Korea and Russia are becoming more active than ever.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un [Image source=Yonhap News]

With the visit of Russia's top diplomat, additional cooperation measures are expected to be discussed, and there is speculation that the close ties between the two countries could reach their peak with President Putin's visit to Pyongyang. The most sensitive issue is 'advanced technology.' North Korea has already declared its intention to launch an additional reconnaissance satellite this month after two failed attempts, and even if the launch succeeds, the technology remains at a rudimentary level in terms of resolution, making technical support essential.

Several experts expressed concerns that the close cooperation between North Korea and Russia could bring a crisis to our security system, which relies on the United States. Jung Sung-jang, head of the Unification Strategy Research Division at the Sejong Institute, said, "North Korea has met an 'opportunity' to exhaust its old conventional weapons and receive technical support from Russia," adding, "North Korea has judged that it has nothing to gain from the U.S., which is unlikely to comply with demands such as halting the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises."

Jung also stated, "Depending on the circumstances, Russia might transfer reconnaissance satellite technology to North Korea or even support the construction of nuclear submarines," and questioned, "Isn't the South Korean government unable to properly discuss acquiring nuclear capabilities due to U.S. opposition?" He further analyzed, "A 'balance of power' is necessary to counter North Korea if it simultaneously launches thousands of missiles like Hamas and mobilizes its nuclear forces."

Some analysts suggest that North Korea's aggressive moves to align with Russia are aimed at influencing the U.S. presidential election. It is observed that the intention was to further entangle the U.S., which is already dealing with not only Ukraine but also the Israel-Palestine conflict. Hong Min, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, predicted, "They will try to make the U.S. uncomfortable and narrow President Joe Biden's position during the election season."

North Korea Meets 'Opportunity,' Continues 'Arms Transactions' Despite International Concerns

There have been consistent signs that North Korea and Russia have already begun military cooperation. Earlier, John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), revealed satellite images on the 13th (local time) showing evidence of arms transactions, stating, "We have information that North Korea delivered weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, amounting to over 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition."

A government official expressed concern over these developments, saying, "If it is true that the 1,000 containers sent by North Korea to Russia contain military equipment, it would be enough to change the course of the Ukraine war." A military official also confirmed the container sea transport situation the day before, evaluating, "Considering the container capacity, it corresponds to a massive quantity of hundreds of thousands of artillery shells that Russia urgently needs."

Additionally, The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 16th (local time) further evidence that North Korea and Russia have been conducting arms transactions since the summer. Citing satellite image analysis, WP pointed out that two Russian-flagged vessels have traveled to and from North Korea's Rajin Port at least five times since mid-August, during which hundreds of containers were shipped to Russia. The contents are presumed to be ammunition for Russia's war in Ukraine.