North Korea-Russia Summit: Agenda Seen from Participants' Perspective Includes 'Military, Space, Resources'

From Diplomacy and Military to Space, Resources, Health, and Transportation
Putin's Possible 'Gift' for Supporting North Korea's War
Attention on Military Cooperation Level of 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un have begun their "dangerous summit." Through this meeting, they are expected to sign a "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement and further elevate the level of military cooperation. The composition of the delegations from both sides also suggests that cooperation between North Korea and Russia will focus on military, space, and resource sectors.

According to Russia's Sputnik news agency and others on the 19th, an expanded North Korea-Russia summit was held at the Kumsusan Guesthouse in Pyongyang during the day. In addition to the two leaders, six North Korean officials and thirteen Russian delegates attended. From the North Korean side, Premier Kim Tok-hun, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party Pak Jong-chon, Party Organization Secretary Jo Yong-won, International Department Director Kim Song-nam, and Deputy Foreign Minister for Russia Im Chon-il were present.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, early on the 19th to begin a state visit. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Russian delegation is more than twice the size of the North Korean side. Their fields cover a wider range, from diplomacy and military to space, resources, health, and transportation. This aligns with the "gift" that President Putin can offer to Chairman Kim Jong-un, who has supported Russia's "special military operation in Ukraine" by supplying artillery shells.

The Russian delegation consisted of First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Alexander Novak, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov. Also attending were Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora, Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko, Roscosmos (Federal Space Agency) Director Yuri Borisov, and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozyorov.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, early on the 19th to begin a state visit. [Image source=Yonhap News]

At this North Korea-Russia summit, both sides are expected to showcase close ties through the signing of a "comprehensive strategic partnership agreement." The most focused area of cooperation is anticipated to be the military sector. Since the summit held last September at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome, the two sides have been strengthening close cooperation, including satellite technology support. In particular, attention is focused on whether North Korea and Russia will establish military cooperation equivalent to "automatic military intervention in case of emergency." Such a clause was included in the North Korea-Soviet Union friendship treaty, which was annulled during the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The space sector is also a major concern. There is already considerable evidence that North Korea has supplied conventional weapons, including artillery shells, to Russia's battlefield. The compensation is technology. Our intelligence agencies have identified that Russia is providing technical support for North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launches. Given that Roscosmos Director Borisov attended this summit, there is a greater possibility that plans to support North Korea's space technology development will be discussed in more detail. President Putin also mentioned at the previous summit that Russia could assist North Korea in developing artificial satellites.

Cooperation in the economic and industrial sectors is also expected to be a key agenda item. Deputy Prime Minister Novak, responsible for oil and energy, and Minister of Natural Resources Kozlov are part of the delegation. Russia is suspected of violating sanctions against North Korea by supplying oil beyond the agreed limits.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, early on the 19th to begin a state visit. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In his opening remarks at the summit, President Putin said, "We appreciate North Korea's consistent and firm support for Russia, including its policy on Ukraine." He added, "Following Chairman Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia last year, we have made meaningful progress in building bilateral relations today," and "Today, a 'new foundational document' that will serve as the basis for long-term bilateral relations is prepared."

Chairman Kim Jong-un stated, "North Korea highly values Russia's important mission and role in maintaining global strategic stability and balance," and expressed "full support and solidarity with Russia and its people in conducting the special military operation in Ukraine to defend sovereignty."