Why Putin visit to North Korea

 Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea, particularly the one in June 2024, was a highly significant event signaling a deepening strategic alliance between the two isolated nations. The visit, the first by a Russian leader in 24 years, underscores a convergence of mutual interests driven largely by geopolitical shifts and a shared adversarial stance toward the United States and its allies. This alignment has far-reaching implications for regional and global security.

One of the primary reasons for Putin's visit was Russia's urgent need for military supplies, particularly artillery ammunition, for its ongoing war in Ukraine. North Korea, possessing vast stockpiles of Soviet-era munitions, has become a crucial supplier for Moscow. Multiple reports indicate that Pyongyang has been providing Russia with significant quantities of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, which are vital for sustaining Russia's offensive operations. In exchange, Russia is believed to be offering North Korea much-needed economic aid, including food and energy supplies, as well as advanced military technology. This quid-pro-quo arrangement directly circumvents international sanctions imposed on both countries, demonstrating their defiance of Western pressure.

Beyond immediate military needs, the visit served to solidify a comprehensive strategic partnership. The highlight of the visit was the signing of a mutual military assistance pact, effectively resurrecting the 1961 alliance between the Soviet Union and North Korea. This treaty obligates both sides to come to each other's aid if attacked, a provision that has sent ripples of concern across the international community, particularly among South Korea, Japan, and the United States. This formalization of a defense alliance suggests a long-term commitment to shared security interests and a willingness to challenge the existing global order.

For North Korea, the alliance with Russia offers several crucial benefits. Firstly, it elevates Kim Jong Un's international standing and bolsters his domestic legitimacy at a time when North Korea faces severe economic challenges and international isolation. The visit provides a powerful diplomatic victory for Pyongyang, showcasing that it has powerful allies despite global condemnation of its nuclear and missile programs. Secondly, North Korea is keenly interested in acquiring advanced military and space technology from Russia. This includes expertise in rocket-building, aviation, and potentially even peaceful nuclear energy, which could significantly enhance North Korea's military capabilities and its nascent satellite program. The prospect of such technology transfers is a major concern for non-proliferation efforts.

From Russia's perspective, strengthening ties with North Korea is a key component of its broader strategy to counter Western influence and build an "architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia" as Putin himself articulated. Faced with widespread international sanctions and diplomatic isolation due to its aggression in Ukraine, Russia is seeking to forge alliances with like-minded states that are also at odds with the U.S.-led order. North Korea, with its independent foreign policy and demonstrated willingness to defy Western norms, fits this mold perfectly. This partnership allows Russia to demonstrate that it is not isolated and can still find partners, even if they are pariah states by Western standards.

The historical context of Russia-North Korea relations also plays a role. The Soviet Union was North Korea's primary benefactor during the Cold War, providing significant military and economic support. While relations cooled after the collapse of the USSR, Putin's visit marks a conscious effort to revive and deepen these historical ties. This resurgence can be seen as part of a larger trend of Russia reasserting its influence on the global stage and challenging what it perceives as a unipolar world dominated by the United States.

In conclusion, Putin's visit to North Korea was a multifaceted event driven by immediate military exigencies, long-term strategic objectives, and a shared desire to counter Western dominance. It solidified a mutual defense pact, secured vital military supplies for Russia, and offered North Korea economic relief and the prospect of advanced technology. This deepening alliance has significant geopolitical implications, potentially escalating tensions in Northeast Asia, undermining international sanctions regimes, and challenging the global non-proliferation framework, thereby ushering in a new and more complex phase in international relations.