Russia-N. Korea relations at 'new, strategic' level: Lavrov
by AFP Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP) Oct 19, 2023
Relations between Russia and North Korea have reached a "qualitatively new, strategic" level, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday in Pyongyang, according to Moscow state media.
Lavrov arrived Wednesday night for a two-day visit after accompanying President Vladimir Putin on a trip to Beijing.
The veteran envoy's meetings in Pyongyang are expected to lay the groundwork for a future visit by Putin, who was invited by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month at a high-profile summit in Russia's far east.
"After the landmark summit ... we can say confidently that (Russia-North Korea) relations have reached a qualitatively new, strategic level," Lavrov reportedly told North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at a Thursday meeting.
The night before, he touted North Korea's support for Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine after arriving in Pyongyang.
"We highly value your principled, unambiguous support for Russia's actions in connection with the special military operation in Ukraine," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russia's RIA news agency.
Kim last month travelled to Russia aboard a specially built bullet-proof train for a face-to-face meeting with Putin, declaring bilateral ties with Moscow his country's "number one priority".
Their talks were held at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome, roughly 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) from Moscow, a location seen as symbolic given North Korea's space aspirations.
Pyongyang has twice failed in attempts to place a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit, most recently in August. A third attempt has been promised for this month.
September's Kim-Putin summit fanned Western fears Pyongyang might provide Moscow with weapons for its drawn-out war in Ukraine.
On Friday, the United States said arms shipments were already under way, with North Korea delivering more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks.
According to a graphic provided by the White House, a load of containers was shipped by sea from North Korea to Russia between September 1 and October 1.
They were then delivered by rail to an ammunition depot about 290 kilometres (180 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Pyongyang was seeking a range of military assistance in return, including advanced technologies, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Moscow this week denounced the allegations, insisting Washington has no proof that weapons are being shipped.
The tightening of the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang comes with relations between the two Koreas at a historic low and diplomacy stalled.
The North has conducted a record-breaking series of weapons tests this year and recently enshrined its status as a nuclear weapons state in its constitution.
South Korea has in turn moved to strengthen its security relationship with traditional ally the United States while entering a new trilateral defence arrangement that also includes Japan.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Summary:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited North Korea for two days, during which he met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui to discuss the qualitatively new strategic level of relations between Russia and North Korea that is developing. Lavrov praised North Koreas support for Russias ongoing war in Ukraine, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared his countrys number one priority to be bilateral ties with Moscow. Kim and Putin had a face-to-face meeting in Russias Vostochny Cosmodrome, and Western fears were fanned that Pyongyang might provide Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine.
Economic Implications:
The immediate economic implications of the article are limited, as the article focuses on diplomatic relations rather than economic activities. However, the potential long-term economic implications are more significant. A closer relationship between Russia and North Korea could result in increased trade and investments, which could lead to economic growth for both countries.Environmental Implications:
The article does not mention any environmental implications.Safety Implications:
The article does not mention any safety implications.Geopolitical and Societal Impacts:
The article suggests that the closer relationship between Russia and North Korea could have geopolitical implications, as it has fanned Western fears that Pyongyang may provide Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine. Additionally, the closer relationship could potentially lead to increased diplomatic cooperation between the two countries, which could have a positive societal impact in terms of improving relations.
Conclusion:
The article suggests that the relations between Russia and North Korea have reached a qualitatively new strategic level. This could have long-term economic, geopolitical, and societal implications, including increased trade and investments, weapons shipments to Russia, and improved diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.
Investigative Questions:
- What specific economic activities are being considered to increase trade and investments between Russia and North Korea?
- What are the details of the weapons shipments from North Korea to Russia?
- What other diplomatic cooperation efforts are being discussed between Russia and North Korea?
Comparison to Star Trek:
The closer relationship between Russia and North Korea is reminiscent of the Federation-Klingon alliance in the Star Trek universe, where two powerful and historically adversarial groups come together to form a closer relationship.
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