Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit North Korea this week, marking his second trip to the country in 24 years. The visit comes amid suspicions in the West that Pyongyang is supplying Moscow with weapons for use in Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed Putin’s travel plans, which were previously reported. Putin’s first trip to North Korea took place when he met with former leader Kim Jong Il. The visit is part of a friendly state visit to the North Korean Democratic Republic, which will be followed by a trip to Vietnam.
Western countries, South Korea, and Kyiv have accused North Korea of sending weapons to Moscow for use in Ukraine, violating UN sanctions that prohibit trade in North Korean weapons. In return, Russia is believed to have provided technical assistance for Pyongyang’s satellite program and sent aid to the food-deprived country. Despite scaling down his trips abroad since launching the invasion of Ukraine, Putin has visited key allies, including China. North Korea is isolated diplomatically and rarely hosts foreign guests, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Russia and North Korea have historic links dating back to the Soviet Union’s involvement in the founding of the country after the Korean War.
Russia and North Korea share a short land border, and since the collapse of the U.S.S.R., Russia has been one of the few countries to maintain working relations with Pyongyang. This relationship has continued despite international isolation for North Korea and ongoing tensions in the region. Putin’s visit to North Korea comes after hosting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on a rare foreign trip to the Russian Far East nine months prior. During that visit, the two leaders exchanged praise for each other, showcasing the close ties between Russia and North Korea. Russia’s involvement with North Korea has raised concerns in the West about the flow of weapons and technical support between the two countries.
The visit comes as part of Putin’s efforts to maintain relationships with key allies and secure strategic partnerships in the region. While Putin has limited his travel since the invasion of Ukraine, he has continued to engage with countries that are crucial to Russia’s interests. North Korea’s isolation on the international stage has led to limited diplomatic relations, making visits from foreign leaders rare. The country has further isolated itself since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, restricting travel and foreign interactions. Despite these challenges, Russia has maintained connections with Pyongyang, leveraging historical ties and geographic proximity to facilitate relations between the two countries.
Putin’s visit to North Korea highlights the ongoing relationship between Russia and North Korea, which has endured despite changing geopolitical dynamics in the region. Russia’s involvement with North Korea has led to accusations of illicit weapons trade and technical support, raising concerns among Western nations and South Korea. The visit reinforces Putin’s strategic approach to foreign policy, focusing on maintaining ties with key allies and securing partnerships in the face of international scrutiny. The continued engagement between Russia and North Korea underscores the complexities of diplomatic relations in the region, as well as the challenges posed by North Korea’s isolation and restricted interactions with the outside world. Putin’s trip to North Korea is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries and further solidify their strategic partnership in the face of international pressure and geopolitical tensions in the region.
