North Korea's 'Selection and Concentration' Toward Russia... "Stirring Anxiety in China"

North Korea-Russia Close Ties Show Unity
Stirring Anxiety in China, Which Had Maintained 'Distance'
Purpose to Strengthen North Korea-China-Russia Alliance by Involving China

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea's diplomacy is increasingly focused on Russia. The two countries are strengthening their ties not only in sensitive military cooperation but also across all other sectors, showing closer alignment. Analysts suggest that North Korea's 'selection and concentration' on Russia is causing anxiety in China, which has maintained some distance in the North Korea-China-Russia alliance. If China, which needs to maintain its influence over North Korea, intervenes in this relationship going forward, there are concerns that a new Cold War structure in Northeast Asia could intensify.

According to the Kremlin and experts on the 18th, through the official visit of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui to Russia, which lasted until the previous day, North Korea and Russia agreed to deepen comprehensive cooperation. The Kremlin described North Korea as a "very important partner" in relation to the meeting between President Putin and Foreign Minister Choe. Although specific details were not disclosed, it is interpreted as an intention to enhance cooperation not only in arms trade, which has attracted significant international attention, but also in fields such as technology and tourism.

The United States is closely monitoring the increasingly close North Korea-Russia relationship. On the 17th (local time), Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, pointed out at a regular briefing, "We have observed Russia providing weapons to North Korea and North Korea providing weapons to Russia."

Some analysts believe that this close North Korea-Russia cooperation sends a stronger signal to China than to the United States. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said, "It appears that North Korea is stimulating China's anxiety by aligning more closely with Russia than with China," adding, "In the future, North Korea may seek practical benefits through equidistant diplomacy between China and Russia."

President Putin of Russia and Choe Son-hui, North Korean Foreign Minister
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, North Korea gained enormous benefits in the 1970s during Kim Il-sung's rule by practicing equidistant diplomacy between China and the Soviet Union. Exploiting the Sino-Soviet conflict over hegemony within the communist bloc, North Korea received security and economic support from China and scientific and technological assistance from the Soviet Union. Although the situation is not identical today, it is suggested that Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, might employ a similar diplomatic strategy.

China also needs to maintain continuous influence over North Korea, especially for negotiations with the United States. President Putin's anticipated visit to North Korea after the Russian presidential election in March could be a turning point in China's policy. If China becomes involved, the new Cold War structure of 'South Korea-U.S.-Japan versus North Korea-China-Russia' is expected to intensify.