Kim Jong-un Opens Pyongyang, Possibly Drawing in Russia

North Korea's Security Leadership Assembles... Expresses 'Hardline Stance'
Russia Joins Criticism of Seoul... North Korea-Russia Treaty Ratification Imminent
Possibility of 'Military Aid' Clause Activation if Inter-Korean Conflict Occurs

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, convened the top security leadership to discuss a 'hardline' response. Russia, strengthening its condemnation aimed at Seoul, has initiated the ratification process to activate the North Korea-Russia treaty. There are concerns that if an armed conflict occurs between the two Koreas, it could provide a pretext for Russia to intervene on the Korean Peninsula.

The scene of an unmanned aerial vehicle infiltrating Pyongyang, revealed by Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and the North Korean side

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 15th, Chairman Kim convened a defense and security consultation the previous day to discuss measures in response to the drone intrusion incident in Pyongyang. The top military and security leaders, including Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, Party Secretary for Military Affairs Jo Chun-ryong, Chief of the General Staff Ri Yong-gil, Director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau Ri Chang-ho, and Minister of State Security Ri Chang-dae, all gathered. At this meeting, Kim expressed a 'hardline political and military stance.' Specific details and measures were not disclosed.

However, a statement issued by Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, later that night reinforced the policy of blaming South Korea and the United States. She said, "The main culprits of the drone incident are the South Korean military trash." She also unleashed abusive language, likening South Korea to a 'mongrel dog' and 'shit dog,' and the United States to a 'master.' While her statement on the 12th left open the possibility that a civilian group might have launched the drone, she made it clear that responsibility would be held regardless.

While the response to the drone intrusion was being discussed in Pyongyang, Moscow also took action. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated in a press release, "Seoul's actions constitute a serious violation of North Korea's sovereignty and interference in internal affairs aimed at destroying the legitimate national and political system of an independent state and depriving it of the right to develop autonomously." She added, "The South Korean authorities must take North Korea's warnings very seriously."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Fifteen minutes after Zakharova's statement, news broke that Russian President Vladimir Putin had submitted a federal law on the ratification of the North Korea-Russia treaty to the State Duma. This marked the start of the procedure to activate the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement' signed in June. This treaty, which takes effect immediately upon ratification, includes provisions for military assistance if either party faces armed aggression and enters a 'state of war.'

North Korea and Russia continue to maintain a close alliance. There have been multiple indications that North Korea's conventional weapons have been transferred to Russia. Once the treaty takes effect, options open for North Korean troops and labor forces to be deployed to Russian battlefields. The greatest concern is that if an armed conflict breaks out between the two Koreas, Russia could intervene on the Korean Peninsula under the pretext of 'military assistance.' North Korea has already defined inter-Korean relations as being 'in a state of armed conflict.'

Cho Han-bum, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, "If a conflict occurs between the two Koreas, Russia will support North Korea in various ways. However, if Russia attempts to send actual troops into the Korean Peninsula, China will not remain passive." He added, "The government must also strongly demand Russia's stance on the numerous drone intrusions by North Korea and use support for Ukraine as leverage to pressure Russia."