North Korea-Russia and North Korea-China 'Rapid Closeness' Raises Concerns... South Korea Focuses Diplomatic Efforts on Warning of Risks

9.9 Day North Korea Event Sends Central Delegation
North Korea-Russia Summit Expected Oct 10-13
Foreign Ministry "Will Closely Monitor Key Issues"

With the dispatch of a Chinese delegation to North Korea's regime establishment anniversary event, the '9·9 Day' on the 9th, followed by the anticipated North Korea-Russia summit from the 10th to the 13th of this month, the South Korean government is closely monitoring the close ties among North Korea, China, and Russia. While it is difficult to predict the possibility of a trilateral summit among the three countries, the South Korean government is focusing its diplomatic efforts on warning about the risks of their close cooperation, as discussions on arms deals or strengthening military cooperation could take place through high-level exchanges.

'9·9 Day' Delegation Dispatch... North Korea-China Closeness, Possibility of Economic Cooperation

In 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping is shaking hands with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un ahead of the North Korea-China summit held in Pyongyang.

At a regular briefing on the 7th, Lim Soo-seok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, “We hope that the relationship between China and North Korea will progress in a direction that contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” adding, “We are closely monitoring major issues related to the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea-China exchanges.”

China plans to send a delegation to mark the 75th anniversary of North Korea's regime establishment. Chinese authorities are reportedly sending a delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong to North Korea on the 9th to attend the '9·9 Day' celebrations. The Chinese delegation, including Vice Premier Liu, is expected to attend the military parade and other celebratory events commemorating North Korea's '9·9 Day.'

This visit by the Chinese delegation is the second this year, following North Korea's 'Victory Day' on July 27 (the day the Korean War armistice was signed). Liu Guozhong is currently an official overseeing the economic sector and is from Jilin Province, a key region for North Korea-China trade, and is regarded as having a high level of understanding of North Korean issues.

In 2019, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, toasting in Vladivostok.

Possibility of North Korea-Russia Summit at the Eastern Economic Forum... Seeking 'Anro Kyungjung'

During the 'Eastern Economic Forum' (EEF) held in Vladivostok, Russia, from the 10th to the 13th, there is also the unexpected possibility of a summit between Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Military cooperation enhancement measures, including arms deals, could be on the agenda at this meeting. This high-level exchange is widely interpreted as a result of North Korea seeking 'Anro Kyungjung,' focusing on economic cooperation with China and military cooperation with Russia, respectively.

The South Korean government emphasized the need to comply with UN Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea-China-Russia exchanges and cooperation. Spokesperson Lim said, “The government is closely monitoring developments related to the Korean Peninsula situation, including human exchanges between Russia and North Korea,” and added, “Exchanges and cooperation between Russia and North Korea should be conducted in a manner that complies with relevant Security Council resolutions and contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.” However, regarding the possibility of a trilateral summit among North Korea, China, and Russia, the official stated, “It is difficult to make a definitive judgment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.