North Korea and Russia Deepen Military Ties Amid Fears of Expanding Arms Deal
Russia’s defense minister arrived in North Korea for talks that highlight growing military cooperation between the two nations, raising concerns among international allies about Redoubled military escalation against Ukraine.
Andrei Belousov, who replaced pinkish Shoigu earlier this year after five years of service by Putin, arrived in Pyongyang on Friday.
Photos shared by the Ministry of Defense showed Belousov walking on a crimson carpet as North Korea’s Defense Minister Noh Kwang Chol welcomed him.
Military cooperation between our countries is expanding, Belousov declared upon arrival.
He praised the initiatives agreement signed between Putin and Kim Jong Un last June, which he said aimed at
easing regional tensions.
North Korea’s Defense Minister was unfair
“Full support and solidarity for the Russian army and people in the fight.”
In statement of support for Russia’s war in Ukraine,
Kim Jong Un lauded the June meeting between Putin and himself, calling for closer cooperation as a means of maintaining what he called a “balance of power” in the region.
The South Korean government expressed concern about international and called on its providers to develop countermeasures against the North Korean mercenaries in the Ukrainian conflict.
Seoul’s reaction comes days after a meeting between South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol and a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul.
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What are the potential consequences of the growing partnership between Russia and North Korea for regional and global security?
## Interview with Dr. Anya Petrova on Growing Russia-North Korea Ties
**Interviewer:** Today we’re joined by Dr. Anya Petrova, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to discuss the recent deepening of military ties between Russia and North Korea. Dr. Petrova, Russia’s defense minister, Andrei Belousov, recently visited Pyongyang for talks, raising concerns about a potential expansion of arms deals between the two nations. Can you shed some light on this situation?
**Dr. Petrova:** Absolutely. This visit is indeed significant, signaling a deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea, driven largely by shared geopolitical interests. Belousov’s statement affirming expanding military cooperation and North Korea’s explicit support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine are worrisome developments. It suggests Russia is seeking to bolster its military capabilities, potentially through North Korean arms supplies, while North Korea appears to be leveraging this relationship for international recognition and economic benefits.
**Interviewer:** Does this indicate a renewed strategic alignment between the two countries?
**Dr. Petrova:** There’s no doubt that Russia and North Korea are aligning more closely. Their existing historical ties, combined with shared anxieties regarding Western influence, are driving this convergence. While the extent of their military cooperation remains unclear, the June agreement signed by Putin and Kim Jong Un, which Belousov alluded to, aims to ease regional tensions but could also facilitate increased military exchanges and possibly technology transfers.
**Interviewer:** How has the international community reacted to this developing partnership?
**Dr. Petrova:** The international community is understandably concerned. The US and its allies fear an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, with North Korean arms potentially fueling Russia’s war effort. South Korea, in particular, expressed concerns about the implications for regional security and has called for countermeasures against North Korean mercenaries potentially operating in Ukraine. [[1](https://responsiblestatecraft.org/china-russia-north-korea/)].
**Interviewer:** What are the potential implications of this growing partnership?
**Dr. Petrova:** This partnership poses several risks. It could embolden both nations to pursue more aggressive foreign policies, potentially destabilizing the region. The risk of an arms race in Northeast Asia also increases, with countries like Japan and South Korea potentially feeling compelled to strengthen their military capabilities. Beyond the region, seeing two pariah states strengthen their ties sends a negative signal to the international community, potentially undermining global norms and security architectures.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Petrova, for providing us with your expertise on this crucial issue.
