Putin Arrives Late in Pyongyang... "Security Issues Over Political Intent"

"Putin's First Visit to North Korea in 24 Years... A Desperate Situation for Both"

Speculation has arisen that Russian President Vladimir Putin's delayed arrival in North Korea was a 'political intentional tardiness,' but experts emphasize 'security issues' as the main reason.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Pyongyang early on the 19th, according to Korean Central TV. Photo by Yonhap News Agency, Korean Central TV

On the 19th, Do Jin-ho, a research fellow at the Korea Defense Research Institute, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and explained, "Some speculate that the delay was due to unresolved agreements between North Korea and Russia, but that does not seem to be the case. About 20 agreements and MOU-related documents are being signed today, some of which have already been made public. There must have been security concerns."

President Putin arrived at Pyongyang Airport around 2:38 a.m. that day. North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un greeted President Putin by riding an Aurus sedan, a gift he had given Putin last year at the Russian Vostochny Cosmodrome, and then they moved together to the accommodation. This visit marks Putin's first to North Korea in 24 years since July 2000.

Do analyzed Putin's visit as driven by "mutual urgent needs." He said, "The biggest reason is that Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed the global security landscape. The democratic camp led by the United States and China?somehow China has also ended up included in the same bloc?are now in opposition."

He continued, "The confrontation between the authoritarian camp centered on China and Russia has intensified severely, and when Russia went to war, allied countries like Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan did not fully support Russia. At such a time, North Korea raised its hand and said, 'We will fight alongside Comrade Putin in the same trench,' 'We will fight against the U.S. and imperialism together,' and 'We fully support the special military operation.' From Russia's perspective, how grateful must they be?"

Do also predicted that from North Korea's standpoint, this would be an opportunity to receive Russian assistance in fields such as space, transportation, and energy. He said, "Considering the capabilities of Russia and North Korea, an asymmetrical benefit is inevitable, and to put it extremely, Russia will have to support North Korea. Judging by the Russian delegation members, it seems the summit agenda will focus on industry, commerce, energy, defense, military industry, space, health, medical care, and transportation."