Relations between Russia and the DPRK in 2023

Occupation: 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

37-47

Abstract

2023 witnessed a marked surge in contacts between Russia and the DPRK. Active mutual visits were the main event and the main surprise. In summer Russian defense minister Sergey Shoigu visited Pyongyang, in September North Korean leader Kim Jong-un came to Vladivostok to meet President Vladimir Putin, and in October Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov went to the DPRK.

After the COVID-induced break, the two countries’ representatives met face to face to seek ways to develop bilateral relations in a new political reality. Moscow and Pyongyang are concerned about the US — South Korea — Japan trilateral alliance emerging in North East Asia. Besides, practical cooperation should reach a level worthy of neighbors who have converging foreign policy views. Also, the two parties are discussing how to organize their political cooperation in the future.

Now, in a changed world, Russia promises to block all new sanctions against the DPRK in the UN Security Council, but it does not mean Moscow will neglect its duties as a permanent member or ignore sanctions that are already in effect. The quest for available profitable cooperation formats may prove arduous, and possible options might include projects in the areas of logistics, tourism, etc. Still, it is highly unlikely that Russia receives or seeks arms supplies from the DPRK, like the West claims.

As the global confrontation intensifies, North Korea keeps close to traditionally like-minded actors, but Pyongyang may yet diversify their diplomatic options should the opportunity present itself. In the meantime, Russia should use this chance to flesh out our relations with the close neighbor.

Keywords

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

Acknowledgment

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

Received

20.11.2023

Publication date

27.12.2023

Number of characters

24547

Cite

GOST	Dyachkov I. Relations between Russia and the DPRK in 2023 // Problemy Dalnego Vostoka – 2023. – Issue 6 C. 37-47 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://pdv.jes.su/S013128120029186-5-1 (circulation date: 22.07.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013128120029186-5
MLA	Dyachkov, Ilya "Relations between Russia and the DPRK in 2023." Problemy Dalnego Vostoka 6 (2023):37-47. DOI: 10.31857/S013128120029186-5
APA	Dyachkov I. (2023). Relations between Russia and the DPRK in 2023. Problemy Dalnego Vostoka (6), pp.37-47 DOI: 10.31857/S013128120029186-5

100 rub.

When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 6, views: 199

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. «Aziatskij povorot» v rossijskoj (vneshnej politike: Dostizheniya, problemy, perspektivy (‘Pivot to Asia’ in Russian Foreign Policy: Achievements, Problems, Prospect) / ed. by A. Torkunov, D. Streltsov, E. Koldunova. M.: Aspekt-Press, 2022. 256 p. (In Russ.)

2. Asmolov K.V. Vpered, k opasnoj cherte? Ili v novyj miroporyadok? (Onwards, Toward a Dangerous Line? Or Toward a New World Order?). NEO. 14.06.2022. URL: https://ru.journal-neo.org/2022/06/14/vpered-k-opasnoj-cherte-ili-v-novy-j-miroporyadok/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

3. Asmolov K.V., Zaharova L.V. Reshitel'nost' i akkuratnost' (Decisiveness and Prudence). Rossiya v global'noj politike. 2023. Vol. 21. No. 4. S. 203–224. URL: https://globalaffairs.ru/articles/reshitelnost-i-akkuratnost/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

4. Brief on 27 July 2023 Parade of the DPRK. Open Nuclear Network. August 8, 2023. URL: https://opennuclear.org/publication/brief-27-july-2023-parade-dprk (accessed: 14.11.2023).

5. Bulychyov G. Korejskaya problema v treugol'nike SSHA — Kitaj — Rossiya (The Korean Issue Within the US — China — Russia Triangle). RSMD. 27.07.2021. URL: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/koreyskaya-problema-v-treugolnike-ssha-kitay-rossiya/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

6. Dyachkov I.V. «Nemirnyj atom» Severo-Vostochnoj Azii: korejskij uzel (North-East Asia’s ‘non-peaceful atom’: the Korean knot). M.: MGIMO-Universitet, 2016. 239 s. (In Russ.)

7. Dyachkov I.V. Bor'ba s pandemiyej koronavirusa v Respublike Koreya i KNDR (Anti-Pandemic Measures in the Republic of Korea and the DPRK). Vostochnaya Aziya: proshloye, nastoyascheye, buduscheye. Moscow: IKSA RAN, 2022. S. 287–297. (In Russ.)

8. Dyachkov I.V. Otnosheniya Rossii s gosudarstvami Korejskogo poluostrova v novoj real'nosti (Russia’s Relations with North and South Korea in the New Reality). Problemy Dal'nego Vostoka. 2022. No. 6. S. 44–55. (In Russ.)

9. Lankov A. Conspicuous cooperation: Why Shoigu made a show of buying arms from North Korea. NK News. August 1, 2023. URL: https://www.nknews.org/2023/08/conspicuous-cooperation-why-shoigu-made-a-show-of-buying-arms-from-north-korea/ (accessed: 20.08.2023).

10. Leshakov P., Solovyov A. Serdechno, no muchitel'no. Rossiya — KNDR: perspektivy ekonomicheskogo vzaimodejstviya (Heartfelt, yet Painful. Russia — DPRK: Prospect for Diplomatic Interaction). Rossiya v global'noj politike. 2023. No. 2. URL: https://globalaffairs.ru/articles/serdechno-no-muchitelno/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

11. Ob ofitsial'nom vizite Ministra inostrannyh del Rossijskoj Federatsii S.V.Lavrova v Korejskuyu Narodno-Demokraticheskuyu Respubliku (Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). MID Rossii. 19.10.2023. URL: https://mid.ru/ru/press_service/vizity-ministra/1910209/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

12. Ofitsial'nyj obed v chest' Predsedatelya Gosudarstvennyh del KNDR Kim Chen Yna (Formal Dinner in Honor of Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un). President Rossii. 13.09.2023. URL: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/72266 (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

13. Otvet Ministra inostrannyh del Rossijskoj Federatsii S.V.Lavrova na vopros programmy “Moskva. Kreml'. Putin”, 13 sentyabrya 2023 goda (Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answer to a question from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin program, September 13, 2023). MID Rossii. 13.09.2023. URL: https://mid.ru/ru/press_service/video/posledniye_dobavlnenniye/1904163/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

14. Park Jongchul. Characteristics of the Korean Peninsula Arms Control Model and Its Gradual Implementation The Journal of East Asian Affairs. 2020. Vol. 33. No. 2. P. 107–128.

15. Posescheniye kosmodroma Vostochnyj (Visit to Vostochny Cosmodrome). President Rossii. 13.09.2023. URL: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/72264 (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

16. Strany Vostoka vo vneshnej politike Rossii (Oriental Countries in Russian Foreign Policy-Making). Red. D.V. Streltsov, K.A. Yefremova. M.: Aspekt-Press, 2023. 376 s. (In Russ.)

17. The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. The White House. August 18, 2023. URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/18/the-spirit-of-camp-david-joint-statement-of-japan-the-republic-of-korea-and-the-united-states/ (accessed: 20.11.2023).

18. Toloraya G. Otvetnyj hod Kim Chen Yna: poslaniye opponentam (Kim Jong-un’s Response: a Message to Opponents). RSMD. 15.04.2019. URL: https://russiancouncil.ru/analytics-and-comments/analytics/otvetnyy-khod-kim-chen-yna-poslanie-opponentam/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

19. Torkunov A.V., Denisov V.I., Li Vl.F. Korejskij poluostrov: metamorfozy poslevoyennoj istorii. (Korean Peninsula: Metamorphoses of Post-War History). M.: OLMA Media Grupp, 2008. 544 s. (In Russ.)

20. Torkunov, A. Toloraya, G. Dyachkov, I. Sovremennaya Koreya: metamorfozy turbulentnyh let (2008–2020 gg.) (Modern Korea: metamorphoses of the turbulent years (2008–2020)). M.: Prosveshchenie, 2021. 448 s. (In Russ.)

21. Vystupleniye i otvety na voprosy SMI Ministra inostrannyh del Rossijskoj Federatsii S.V.Lavrova na press-konferentsii po itogam vizita v KNDR, Phen'yan, 19 oktyabrya 2023 goda (Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a news conference following his visit to North Korea, Pyongyang, October 19, 2023). MID Rossii. 19.10.2023. URL: https://mid.ru/ru/press_service/vizity-ministra/1910193/ (accessed: 20.11.2023). (In Russ.)

22. Zasedanie Mezhdunarodnogo diskussionnogo kluba «Valdaj» (Valdai International Discussion Club meeting). President Rossii. 27.10.2022. URL: http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/69695 (accessed: 08.11.2022). (In Russ.)