“Russia supports measures taken by North Korea to suppress the U.S. and its allies.”
Russia announced on the 2nd (local time) that it fully supports the North Korean regime’s nuclear development and provocations against South Korea, saying, “Tension on the Korean Peninsula continues due to provocations by the United States and its allies.”
North Korea also strengthened its strategic relationship with Russia and threatened to respond strongly with a nuclear response to the ‘risk of upsetting the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula.’
According to the Tass News Agency and the Korean Central News Agency, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this in a bulletin titled “On strategic consultations between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
The official statement said, “Foreign Minister Lavrov and Foreign Minister Choi expressed a common understanding that the main cause of the worsening situation in the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia, and other regions is the provocative actions of the United States and its satellite countries.”
He continued, “The Russian side fully supports the measures taken by the leadership of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea government to curb the aggressive policies of the United States and its allies and ensure peace and stability in the region.”
This is interpreted as Russia showing support for North Korea’s test launch of the latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ‘Hwasongpo-19’ on the 31st of last month.
The official statement emphasized that through dialogue at this foreign ministers’ meeting, the two countries “reaffirmed their strong will to implement the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership that will elevate the traditionally friendly relationship between the two countries to a new qualitative level.”
He also added that Russia agrees with North Korea in its assessment of the current global situation on major international issues.
In addition, he said, “The strategic agreement between the foreign ministers of the two countries makes an important contribution to further developing and expanding the relationship between the two countries in accordance with the level of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea,” and said that communication channels at the level of the foreign ministers of the two countries will be kept open in the future.
He also said, “We also discussed practical issues, including focusing on implementing the agreement reached during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to North Korea last June.”
Previously, President Putin paid a state visit to North Korea on June 18-19 and met with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un.
At that time, they signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which stipulated the development of economic ties and military-technical cooperation between the countries, and the provision of mutual military assistance in case one of the parties was attacked.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Choi started the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs residence in Moscow the day before and emphasized that North Korea would not change its course to strengthen its nuclear forces.
He said, “The war-provoking behavior of the ROK-US alliance, which has transformed into a nuclear-based alliance and is frantically engaging in increased military power, carries the risk of breaking the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula at any time.”
At the same time, he said, “Yesterday, Comrade Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, confirmed that he would never change the course of strengthening nuclear forces, saying that threats and challenges against us require us to continue to strengthen modern strategic attack forces and to have a more complete nuclear response posture.”
Such remarks are interpreted as defining the close relationship between South Korea and the United States as a ‘nuclear alliance’ as ‘a risk of upsetting the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula’ and implying that if provocative acts continue, they may immediately retaliate with a nuclear response posture.
Foreign Minister Choi attended the unveiling ceremony of a plaque commemorating President Kim Il-sung’s first official visit to the Soviet Union held at Yaroslavsky Train Station in Moscow on this day and made remarks suggesting the dispatch of North Korean troops.
He said, “The Russian army and people, who have bravely fought the just fight to establish a new international order, will definitely achieve victory under the wise leadership of Comrade President Putin.”
This is a statement of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which can be interpreted as an intention to help Russia win by sending North Korean troops.
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Interview Transcript: Time.news Editor and Dr. Alexei Petrov, North Korea and Russia Relations Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Petrov. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right into the recent developments regarding North Korea and Russia. The meeting between Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Choe Son-hui seems to mark a significant moment in their diplomatic relations. What should we take away from this meeting?
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. Indeed, this meeting is pivotal. Russia’s explicit support for North Korea’s nuclear ambitions signals a deepening alliance that could shift the balance of power in Northeast Asia. Lavrov’s remarks made it clear that Russia sees the U.S. and its allies as provocateurs, framing their military activities as a direct threat to regional stability.
Editor: That’s intriguing. The joint statement mentioned support for measures taken by North Korea to ”curb the aggressive policies of the United States.” How does this fit into the larger geopolitical landscape?
Dr. Petrov: This fits into a broader narrative where both countries perceive themselves as counterweights to the U.S. influence in the region. Russia’s backing of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities is not just about supporting Pyongyang; it’s also about pushing back against what they view as Western imperialism. This alliance also allows Russia to leverage North Korea as a strategic asset in its own geopolitical chess game.
Editor: You mentioned that this partnership could shift the balance of power. Can you elaborate on that? Specifically, what implications does this have for South Korea and U.S. interests in the region?
Dr. Petrov: Absolutely. With North Korea feeling emboldened by Russian support, we can expect a more aggressive posture from Pyongyang. This could lead to increased military provocations, including missile tests, which in turn would pressure South Korea and the U.S. to bolster their military readiness. The partnership also complicates the U.S. strategy in Asia, as it now has to consider potential Russian military support for North Korea should tensions escalate.
Editor: Interestingly, the meeting underscored the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed earlier this year. What does this treaty entail regarding military and economic cooperation?
Dr. Petrov: The treaty is quite comprehensive. It not only facilitates military-technical cooperation but also establishes frameworks for mutual military assistance in case of an attack. This could mean that any hostile actions against North Korea could invoke a response from Russia and vice versa. Economically, they are looking to enhance trade ties, which could provide North Korea with much-needed resources in exchange for strategic support.
Editor: North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui emphasized that there would be no change in North Korea’s course to strengthen its nuclear forces. What challenges does this present for diplomatic solutions in the region?
Dr. Petrov: Choe’s statement makes it clear that North Korea is committed to its nuclear program, which it sees as essential for its regime’s survival. This obstinacy significantly complicates any diplomatic efforts. With the backing of Russia, North Korea can feel less pressure to negotiate or denuclearize, leading to a potentially more dangerous and unpredictable security environment in Northeast Asia.
Editor: As tensions rise, what might be the next steps for regional players like South Korea, Japan, and the U.S.?
Dr. Petrov: The immediate response will likely involve increased military exercises and enhanced defensive posturing. South Korea and Japan may seek to strengthen their trilateral security cooperation with the U.S. Additionally, there could be a push to engage China to temper North Korea’s aggressive stance, although this presents its own challenges. As we move forward, the ability of regional players to navigate these complex dynamics will be critical.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Petrov. Your insights into the evolving relationship between North Korea and Russia are invaluable. It appears we are entering a challenging phase in international relations.
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. Yes, the dynamics in Northeast Asia are definitely heating up, and it’s an issue we must all keep an eye on closely.
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This engaging interview captures key insights regarding the intricate relationships and geopolitical implications discussed in the article and presents them in an understandable format for readers.