Russia’s Relations with North and South Korea in the New Reality

Occupation: Associate Professor (World history), Associate Professor, Dept. of Oriental Studies, Researcher, Center for Japanese, Korean and Mongolian Studies
Affiliation: MGIMO University
Address: 119454, Moscow, prospect Vernadskogo, 76

Journal name

Problemy Dalnego Vostoka

Edition

Issue 6

Pages

44-55

Abstract

Despite Asian countries’ usually keeping at distance from European conflicts, Russian special military operation in Ukraine that started in February 2022 has influenced Russia’s ties with the DPRK and the Republic of Korea. Whereas the DPRK openly supported Moscow, Seoul joined the West in condemning Russian actions. Still, a lot of finer details come to light when assessing real prospects of our bilateral relations with Korean neighbors.

Although Moscow and Pyongyang are en rapport politically, practical cooperation is negligible due to UNSC sanctions and strict restrictions North Korean authorities introduced to combat COVID-19. Seoul had introduced sanctions against Russia which resulted in Russia listing the Republic of Korea as an ‘unfriendly state.’ Still, South Korea is reluctant to dismantle their relations with Russia which would mean losing Russian market, assets and the country and access to Russian supplies. So, South Korean authorities and businesses have started a complex balancing act trying to reconcile increasing pressure from their ‘senior ally’ with own interests.

Russia should build relations with North and South Korea proceeding from our national interests and an understanding of objective factors that limit our interaction. It is important to identify and use new opportunities to work with our close neighbors and protect our ties amidst the crisis, since the new reality requires we use all means and assets to protect our interests.

Keywords

DPRK, North East Asia, pivot to Asia, Russian foreign policy, relations between Russia and North Korea, relations between Russia and South Korea, Republic of Korea

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by Russian Science Foundation (Grant No. 19-18-00142-P).

Received

14.11.2022

Publication date

20.12.2022

Number of characters

30436

Cite

GOST	Dyachkov I. Russia’s Relations with North and South Korea in the New Reality // Problemy Dalnego Vostoka – 2022. – Issue 6 C. 44-55 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://pdv.jes.su/S013128120023290-0-1 (circulation date: 25.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013128120023290-0
MLA	Dyachkov, Ilya "Russia’s Relations with North and South Korea in the New Reality." Problemy Dalnego Vostoka 6 (2022):44-55. DOI: 10.31857/S013128120023290-0
APA	Dyachkov I. (2022). Russia’s Relations with North and South Korea in the New Reality. Problemy Dalnego Vostoka (6), pp.44-55 DOI: 10.31857/S013128120023290-0

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