What is behind Vladimir Putin’s visit to his ally Kim Jong-un?

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With Vladimir Putin in North Korea, both Moscow and Pyongyang hope that their talks will strengthen the relationship between both countries, ostracized in much of the world. The conversations

They will likely result in a series of initiatives, both economic and military. International affairs analysts, including Deutsche Welle columnist Julian Ryall, warn that some of the agreements, especially those related to the exchange of weapons and advanced missile and satellite technology, are likely to remain secret.

Beyond those agreements, both sides are eager to demonstrate political skill. Kim Jong-un seeks to burnish his image as a major world leader and Putin wants to show that Russia still has friends, allies and can travel abroad despite UN sanctions and arrest warrants issued against him by the International Criminal Court. , for the alleged kidnapping of children in Ukraine by Russian troops.

“The list of countries willing to host Putin is shorter than ever, but for Kim Jong-un, this visit is a victory,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Korea. South.

“The summit not only improves North Korea’s status among countries that oppose the US-led international order, but also helps bolster Kim’s domestic legitimacy,” he said. “Putin’s visit is, in part, to thank North Korea for acting as an ‘arsenal for autocracy,’ in support of his illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Easley added.

Even before landing in Pyongyang, Putin had announced the creation of new systems for international trade and payments. Russia was excluded from international cooperation structures by the West due to the war in Ukraine.

Similarly, North Korea has been unable to access banking and other commercial services because of its nuclear weapons and missile programs. In an article published in North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper last Tuesday morning, Putin said the relationship between the two countries was “based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust.”

Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for Pyongyang’s support for the “special military operation” in Ukraine, adding that the United States is “doing everything possible to impose on the world the so-called ‘rules-based order,’ which is essentially a global neocolonial dictatorship based on double standards.

Yakov Zinberg, a Russian-born professor of international relations at Kokushikan University in Japan, considers Putin’s visit to Pyongyang “threatening.”

“This is a calculated threat against the US-South Korea-Japan security alliance in the region, and is designed to send the message that he is not only strong against NATO in Europe, but is also strong in the Far East,” he said. Zinberg believes Kim will commit to providing Russia with more artillery, in addition to millions of munitions, which analysts believe have already been sent to the front lines in Ukraine.

In return, Putin will continue to offer technological support for nuclear, missile and space projects.

Lim Eun-jung, an associate professor of international studies at South Korea’s Kongju National University, added that Kim made a “strategic decision” to support Russia from the start of the invasion of Ukraine, in part to reduce his dependence on China. and to gain political support on the world stage.

It is also likely that Putin will agree to provide natural resources, which the North Korean economy craves, including oil and gas, and Kim will agree to send more workers to Russia to make up for the shortfall caused by military conscription.

Kim, according to Lim, might be making the most of the deal, but Kim’s friends in China might object to North Korea moving closer to Russia: “That’s a big concern for Seoul, Tokyo and Washington, but also for Beijing.” “.

“The alignment of such states is a threat to global trade and peace,” the professor said. However, he clarified, “These States do not share institutions and values ​​of lasting alliance; they are only loosely united by resistance to the application of international laws and norms”.

The actions of the Chinese Coast Guard towards Philippine ships that entered its South Sea “was professional and moderate”, since its objective “was to stop their illegal resupply mission”, said this Wednesday the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jia, commenting on the latest situation in Ren ai Jiao, Nansha Qundao.

Lin made the comment during a regular news conference when asked to confirm the Philippine military’s claim made Wednesday that the Chinese Coast Guard boarded Philippine boats in the South Sea this week and seized weapons from those vessels.

“Let me stress that what directly led to this situation is the fact that the Philippines ignored China’s deterrence and deliberate intrusion into the waters of Ren ai Jiao, which is part of China’s Nansha Qundao,” Lin said.

The Chinese spokesperson added that “the law enforcement action taken by the Chinese Coast Guard at the scene was professional and restrained and aimed at stopping the illegal replenishment mission.” He also stressed that the Chinese coast guard did not take direct measures against Filipino staff.

Lin told reporters that the Philippines keeps saying they were sending essential items, but they secretly tried to send construction materials and even weapons and ammunition to the stranded warship for the long-term occupation of Ren ai Jiao.

Lin urged the Philippines to immediately end its violations and provocations, noting that China will continue to defend its sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests.