At the Peak of North Korea-Russia Closeness... "Putin May Visit North Korea as Early as This Month"

Russian media report Putin's planned visit to North Korea citing sources
If realized, quick reunion 9 months after summit
North Korea suspected of transferring conventional weapons and military technology

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who has succeeded in securing a fifth term, is moving closer to a 'visit to North Korea.' Cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which have been maintaining close ties amid a new Cold War dynamic in the region, is expected to strengthen further.

Russian media Vedomosti reported on the 10th (local time), citing an anonymous diplomatic source, that "President Putin is expected to visit North Korea and Vietnam in sequence as early as this month." If the schedule proceeds as anticipated, it will mark a reunion nine months after the North Korea-Russia summit held at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East last September. Considering that the summit was the first in four years and five months, the meeting cycle between Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Putin has been significantly shortened. It will also be Putin's first visit to North Korea in a remarkable 24 years since July 2000.

In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Russia continues its confrontation with the West while waging war in Ukraine. North Korea supports Russia's "special military operation," and President Putin, who is seeking to build an anti-Western bloc, appears to regard North Korea as a "special management target." The fact that Putin is quickly visiting North Korea right after securing his fifth term can be interpreted as a reaffirmation of the importance of close North Korea-Russia ties.

If the visit takes place, concerns about arms and technology transfers are expected to grow. North Korea is suspected of providing conventional weapons to Russia's battlefield and, in return, receiving military technology. These suspicions have intensified since last year's North Korea-Russia summit. Moreover, tensions are rising as the U.S. and others recently allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with their own weapons.

In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The issue of North Korea's "military reconnaissance satellites" could also escalate to a more serious level. During last year's North Korea-Russia summit, President Putin expressed willingness to support North Korea's satellite production. There is a strong possibility that military cooperation plans between the two countries will be discussed again this time.

Previously, North Korea successfully launched its first military reconnaissance satellite in November last year. Attempts were made in May and August last year for the first and second launches, but they failed due to rocket propulsion issues. On the third attempt, the reconnaissance satellite "Manrikkyeong-1" was placed into orbit, but it is evaluated as not functioning properly. North Korea has declared it will launch three additional reconnaissance satellites within this year, and the South Korean government has identified that North Korea conducted multiple engine combustion tests with support from Russian technicians. However, the launch attempt at the end of last month, just six months later, also ended in failure.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin is withholding details, stating it will announce President Putin's visit schedule in due course. Some speculate that Putin may visit North Korea during the Eastern Economic Forum held in early September in Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, which is close to North Korea.

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