Russia openly hints at 'arms trade'... North Korea even launches surprise provocation

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North Korea's Surprise Provocation Before Talks... "Retaliation Against ROK-US Warnings"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin reunited after four years. Even before the summit, the two, who had raised international concerns over suspicions of 'arms deals,' openly expressed their willingness to cooperate in the military sector. Despite strong warnings from the West led by the United States, attention is focused on whether Russia will transfer technology in areas such as military reconnaissance satellites, which North Korea is deeply invested in.

According to North Korea's Korean Central News Agency and local Russian media on the 13th, Chairman Kim and President Putin began their summit in the afternoon at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia. This reunion came four years and five months after their Vladivostok meeting in April 2019. In his opening remarks before the summit, Chairman Kim stated, "Relations with Russia are North Korea's top priority, and we will fight together against imperialism."

Kim Jong-un and Putin openly express willingness for 'military cooperation'

North Korean and Russian leaders talking at Vostochny Cosmodrome
[Photo by Yonhap News]

North Korea and Russia even hinted at violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions. According to local news footage, before moving to the summit venue, President Putin responded to a question about whether Russia would assist North Korea in satellite production by saying, "We came here (to the cosmodrome) because of that," adding, "The North Korean leader shows great interest in rocket technology and is trying to develop space."

The 'Vostochny Cosmodrome,' where this summit took place, is Russia's state-of-the-art facility that began full-scale operations with its first satellite launch in April 2016. It is also a site symbolizing Russia's determination to regain its status as a 'space superpower' reminiscent of the Soviet era. There had been speculation that holding the summit here would symbolize an expansion of military cooperation between the two countries through arms and military technology deals, and this was openly acknowledged without denial.

In particular, when asked whether military technology cooperation would be discussed at this summit, President Putin said, "We will talk about all issues without rushing," leaving the possibility open. Regarding this, the Kremlin stated, "North Korea and Russia will cooperate even in sensitive areas that must not be disclosed," openly revealing their willingness to violate UNSC sanctions resolutions.

North Korea urgently needs military reconnaissance satellites, considered essential for completing its nuclear forces. Considering the recent emphasis on naval power, including the first public display of a nuclear submarine, it is also possible that North Korea hopes to receive technology related to submarine operations. If Russia provides advanced military technology to North Korea, in return, North Korea is expected to supply conventional weapons such as shells and rifles.

Not only arms deals but also resource support such as food and crude oil is likely to be provided to help North Korea extinguish its urgent crises. North Korea can provide labor for Russia's post-war reconstruction sites. The interests of North Korea, which needs a breakthrough amid prolonged sanctions, and Russia, which faces shortages of war materials due to the invasion of Ukraine, align. However, all such transactions violate sanctions against North Korea.

North Korea's military core fully mobilized... even Kim Yo-jong, absent four years ago

Kim Yo-jong Accompanies North Korea-Russia Summit Venue [Photo by Yonhap News]

Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia this time was remarkable in terms of the composition of the delegation. Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Ri Pyong-chol, the first or second highest-ranking military official and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, and Pak Jong-chon, head of the Party's military leadership, all accompanied him. Especially, key figures such as Party Secretary Pak Tae-sung, Navy Commander Kim Myong-sik, and Party Military Industry Department Head Jo Chun-ryong were also part of the delegation, highlighting the strong 'military character' of this visit to Russia.

First, Party Secretary Pak Tae-sung serves as the chairman of the National Emergency Space Science and Technology Committee, established by North Korea to launch military reconnaissance satellites. Furthermore, the presence of Navy Commander Kim Myong-sik adds weight to the speculation that technology transfer related to submarine operations could be part of the 'dangerous deal' between North Korea and Russia. Party Military Industry Department Head Jo Chun-ryong is a key figure if North Korea provides conventional weapons to Russia.

Notably, photos released locally in Russia on this day confirmed that Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un's younger sister and Vice Director of the Workers' Party, also accompanied the delegation. While her presence was uncertain until departure from Pyongyang, foreign media broadcast footage captured Kim Yo-jong closely accompanying Chairman Kim as he signed the guestbook. She was not part of the delegation during the first summit in April 2019.

Surprise provocation without the supreme leader... "A backlash targeting South Korea and the U.S."

Citizens watching the North Korea-Russia summit news [Image source=Yonhap News]

Additionally, North Korea launched missile provocations practically for the first time while its supreme leader was absent. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the South Korean military detected two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched from the Sunan area toward the East Sea for 10 minutes starting at 11:43 a.m. that day. This ballistic missile provocation came 14 days after two SRBMs were launched on the 30th of last month, and 11 days after the cruise missile launch on the 2nd of this month.

North Korea has been conducting provocations 'routinely' since last year, but a notable difference is that this surprise provocation occurred while Chairman Kim and the military core were all absent. This provocation took place about an hour before Chairman Kim arrived at the summit venue in Russia, suggesting it was a pre-planned provocation schedule.

It is also evaluated that this was a backlash targeting South Korea and the U.S., who have issued warnings about the 'dangerous meeting' between the two countries. On the 11th, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticized Putin's journey across his own territory to seek support from the 'international outcast,' calling it 'begging.' Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, analyzed that "North Korea expressed displeasure through missile provocations."

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