The President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Tuesday pledged to enhance the trade and security relationship with North Korea as well as supporting it in its conflict with the United States. This is as Putin prepares to travel to Pyongyang for his first visit since 24 years.
The USA together with its Asian allies are questioning how far Russia will go in aiding North Korean leader Kim Jong. His country is an exception since it is only the one that conducted nuclear weapon tests throughout 21 century.
This suggests that Russia, a Security Council member which has veto power over resolutions, may be rethinking its entire policy toward North Korea. Putin praised Pyongyang for standing up against what he said was US economic pressure, blackmail and threats (and threats), according an article published by North Korean state media.
Putin’s article in the Russian press which was later published on Monday by the Rodong Sinmun, a state-run newspaper in North Korea included praise for “Comrade” Kim and promise to jointly fight against illegal unilateral restrictions, develop trade and strengthen the security around Eurasia.
“Washington refuses to fulfill already reached agreements setting forth new increasingly strict and obviously unacceptable demands,” said Putin printed on the front page of Rodong Sinmun (Workers’ Party mouthpiece).
Russia has always supported and will continue supporting DPRK as well as heroic Koreans standing against this insidious, dangerous and aggressive enemy.”
Putin mentioned that Soviet Union was the first country to recognize Democratic People’s Republic of Korea established by Kim’s grandfather Kim Il Sung just before two years from Korean War outbreak in 1950.
North Korean state media also ran articles about Russia praising the latter’s military actions in Ukraine calling it a “holy war that all Russians should join”.
Putin’s going ahead with visit comes after accusations from Washington about dozens of ballistic missile sales along with over eleven thousand munitions containers supplied by North Korea into Russia for use in Ukraine. South Korea, which is staunch ally of US, have similar worries.
White House said on Monday it was concerned about the growing ties between Russia and North Korea. The US State Department says it is “pretty certain” that Putin will be looking for arms to support his war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Pyongyang deny they are smuggling weapons, but have vowed to step up military cooperation possibly including joint maneuvers.
This year, Russia plans to exceed total NATO ammunition production; therefore, Putin’s trip may serve as a warning to Washington that Moscow can create disturbances over an array of world crises.
Last month, Russia blocked an annual extension of the United Nations expert panel monitoring enforcement of long-time sanctions against DPRK for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
A Russian foreign policy advisor for Putin Yuri Ushakov told reporters that during the visit Russia and North Korea could sign a partnership agreement covering security issues. The official emphasized that this document would not be directed at any state but outline prospects for further cooperation.”
According to Ushakov, there will be personal meetings between the two heads of state during the visit; also there will be a festive concert, a state reception with honor guards involved, signing ceremonies and a statement made by Vladimir Putin for journalists, Interfax news agency reports citing him.
Among the delegates will be Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ministers of Natural Resources and Health as well as Transport, the head of Russia’s space agency and railways and Putin’s energy point man, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Satellite images revealed that prior to the visit North Korea has been see preparing for a possible military parade in downtown Pyongyang.
Victor Cha, a former US national security official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies said “The summit presents the greatest threat to US national security since the Korean War”.
In his Monday report he wrote: “This relationship is historically embedded in deep tensions and was exhumed by Ukraine war. It undermines Europe’s, Asia’s and America’s homeland security.”
He further said that it should also work closely with Europe and other allies increasing economic pressure on Pyongyang; engaging China; while doing more about human rights through a major media campaign feeding news into the country from outside.
It has faced United Nations sanctions since 2006 over its missile and nuclear programs which have got stronger over time.
Regarding Pyongyang there are divisions within Security Council.
They argue that additional sanctions would not help whereas military drills by United States along with South Korea only provoke North Korea. Two years ago they used veto power to block an American-led move to impose further UN sanctions against North Korea because of its renewed ballistic missile launches.
Washington accuses Moscow as well as Beijing of protecting North Korea from new measures making it more aggressive while colluding with Vietnam to sustain such an approach.
After North Korea Putin will be visiting Vietnam between 19-20 June 2019.
(by Hyonhee Shin, Josh Smith Guy Faulconbridge reporting from Moscow; Additional reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne Michelle Nichols in New York; Editing by Gerry Doyle Gareth Jones)
