North Korean state media stated on Thursday that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu joined North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a defense display in Seoul that featured the North’s banned ballistic missiles as the two countries committed to strengthening ties.
Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s minister, and a Chinese team, including a member of the Politburo, came in North Korea this week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, which is known as “Victory Day” there.
It was a remarkable background for a show of cooperation by three countries united by their rivalry with the U.S. this week, despite the fact that the missiles were prohibited under U.N. Security Council resolutions approved with Russian and Chinese support.
After the demise of the Soviet Union, Shoigu is the first Russian defense minister to visit North Korea.
The arrival of the Russian and Chinese delegations in North Korea represents the country’s first significant thawing of diplomatic relations with the rest of the world since the coronavirus pandemic.
North Korean media said that Shoigu delivered a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim.
Kim expressed gratitude to Putin for sending the military delegation led by Shoigu, claiming that it had strengthened the “strategic and traditional” ties between his country and Russia.
“(Kim) expressed his views on the issues of mutual concern in the struggle to safeguard the sovereignty, development, and interests of the two countries from the high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists,” North Korean media reported.
“He repeatedly expressed belief that the Russian army and people would achieve big successes in the struggle for building a powerful country,” it said.
Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam was quoted by KCNA as declaring that North Korea completely supported Russia’s “battle for justice” and to safeguard its sovereignty, without mentioning the conflict in Ukraine.
According to KCNA, Kim showed Shoigu around a showcase of modern military hardware.
North Korea’s multi-axle transporter launchers were on exhibit for Kim and his visitors in state media photos. Experts also saw what they believed to be a new drone in another shot.
Analysts have speculated that Russia has accepted North Korea’s nuclear development after Shoigu inspected missiles during a visit to the country.
Ankit Panda, of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, called the visit “remarkable,” noting that “we’ve come a long way from the days when North Korea would avoid showing off its nuclear capabilities when senior foreign dignitaries from Russia and China were in town.”
According to him, Moscow’s apathy over North Korea’s nuclear development is on display through Shoigu’s personal travel and Shoigu’s willingness to be photographed with Kim during this journey.
There were also reports that Kim visited with Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong and received a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The visit by Li’s delegation demonstrated Xi’s resolve to “attach great importance to the DPRK-China friendship,” Kim was cited as saying by KCNA, the North’s state news agency. DPRK stands for Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“Open and shut”
With Russia isolated by the West after its invasion of Ukraine, observers say the visit raises the possibility of more open backing for North Korea.
Anthony Rinna, an expert on Korea-Russia relations at the Sino-NK think tank, has said, “While Russia has kept its official military cooperation with the North Korea limited, any veritable rupture in the so-called post-Cold War order may see Russia more willing to openly violate sanctions.” This is especially true given Russia’s “relatively lax attitude” toward the changes in North Korea’s nuclear status over the past year.
To cement its position as a “irreversible” nuclear-armed state, North Korea last year enacted a new, comprehensive nuclear law.
The country has threatened nuclear reprisal this month in response to what it sees as an American show of force, with officials claiming the movement of major military equipment near the Korean peninsula may satisfy the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.
John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesperson, claimed that Russia is reaching out to North Korea because it is having trouble acquiring weapons.
It’s no secret that Putin is trying to enlist foreign powers in his effort to retake the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. And we realize it involves reaching out to the DPRK,” he added.
The White House claims that North Korea has sent weaponry to Russia to aid in its fight with Ukraine, including infantry rockets and missiles.
Both North Korea and Russia have denied any involvement in any arms deals.
