Putin’s historical visit to North Korea, elevating ties with Kim Jong Un to new horizons

Report by Zusmanovich Ulyana

According to the claims of Vladimir Putin a wide-spanning agreement was signed with North Korea covering political, commerce-investment, cultural-humanitarian spheres, placing amplitudinous orienteers into depthening Russian-Korean relations in a long-term perspective.

Namely, new strategic partnership, being an extension to 1961, 2000 and 2001 deals, was raised to ‘new levels’ in the field of security, with the two states pledging to deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” if one is attacked, with the involvement of military aid. It is delineated that measures as such are reinforced by the laws of both states and backed by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, specifying that every U.N. member holds its right for self-defense.

“Situations continue to be complicated and ever-changing, but I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that we will continue to strengthen and closely engage in strategic communication with the (Russian) leadership,”
said Kim Jong Un

Amongst the claims of Putin, he said that the “inspired by the US and their allies termless and restrictive regime of the UN security council in the relation to North Korea should be reviewed”, meaning that Russia is eager to make a revision to the resolution 2397 from December 2017. It is to no coincidence that in march Russia vetoed the resolution on renewing the monitoring of the UN sanctions against North Korea.

Speaking of the possibilities of technical-military collaboration with North Korea, Putin alluded to the furnishing by NATO armament of large radius and airplanes F-16 intended to strike Russian territories, stigmatizing the actions as “severe offense undertaken by the western states in the frames of international commitments”. Previously, Putin claimed that he is ready to supply analogous arms to countries that pose a threat to the US and their allies. The summit exposed North Korea to be a prospective candidate for the role of a recipient.

Russian – North Korean military relations were advancing since September with Russia receiving 260,000 metric tons of munitions or munitions-related material – from North Korea and it was registered by the US that Russian forces have also launched at least 10 North Korea-made missiles on Ukraine.

Kim voiced his “full support and solidarity with the struggles of the Russian government, military and the people,” denoting the Ukrainian war “to protect its own sovereignty, safety and territorial stability.”

The meeting was large-scale, with Putin arriving on the 18th of June to Pyongyang airport and being met directly by Kim Jong Un. Within the Russian delegation were presented: minister of foreign affairs Sergei Lavrov, first vice-premier Denis Manturov, vice-premier Aleksandr Novak, minister of defense Andrei Belousov, minister of natural resources and ecology Aleksandr Kozlov, secretary of state for health Mikhail Murashko and others. Russia’s first visit in 24 years was hosted exuberantly, thousands of North Koreans chanting “welcome Putin”, lining the city’s boulevards, fluttering Russian and North Koreans flags against the background of large portraits of each leader. Putin and chairman of DPRK reciprocated presents, Kim Jong Un was granted a new Aurus, dinnerware set and several pieces of art. Yuri Ushakov, presidential advisor, also mentioned with no specification, that Putin was given gifts, featuring the Russian leader: “Very artistic including sculpture busts.”