Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin Discuss Military Cooperation

Kim (left) and Putin (right) shake hands during Kim’s visit to Russia | Source: Office of the President of Russia

Kim Jong Un, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, during his week-long trip to Russia to discuss the possibility of the DPRK supplying weapons for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, on September 13th, 2023. This trip marked Kim’s first trip abroad in more than four years, as well as his longest during his rule of the DPRK. During his stay, Kim examined Russia's arsenal, ranging from space rockets to submarines. Kim’s meeting with Vladimir Putin conveyed the internationally obvious indications that the Pyongyang dictator is still interested in building a presence in space, despite—or perhaps because of—its recent inability to launch military satellites into orbit.

After a year and a half of fighting in Ukraine, Russia must restock its weapons in what has become a protracted conflict. In addition to increasing its domestic arms manufacturing, Moscow is turning to North Korea, an old ally with an arsenal, to meet its weapons deficit. Although the outdated North Korean artillery systems have a reputation for poor accuracy, analysts claim that the country may still possess tens of millions of dollars worth of rockets and artillery rounds based on Soviet designs. These weapons could support Russian forces in Ukraine in exchange for advanced satellite technology, nuclear-powered submarines, and food aid for the DPRK's impoverished population.

Furthermore, collaboration between the two nations is not new. Russia and North Korea have a history as allies dating back to the Korean War, during which the Soviet Union sent weapons, aircraft, and pilots to aid communist North Korea's invasion of the South.

Kim's trip to Russia raises concerns for several countries including Japan, Ukraine, South Korea, and the United States, as the trip may violate international sanctions. Since 2006, the United Nations Security Council has imposed nine major sanctions on North Korea in response to the country's nuclear and missile developments, including banning all imports and exports of their weapons. 

Although the details of the bilateral meeting remain confidential, authorities have stated that their objective is clear: according to Putin, Kim expressed "great interest" in military cooperation and pledged to "always stand with Russia." In addition, Kim made plans to work on strengthening ties at "a new high level at the practical stage" during a Politburo meeting on September 20 to build on "the success" of his trip to Russia, reports the official Korean Central News Agency.

Just days after the leaders of these two nuclear-armed nations met, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a warning, stating that his nation and its allies "will not stand idly by" if North Korea assists Russia in expanding its arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Specifically, Yoon mentioned that "military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is illegal and unjust as it contravenes UN Security Council resolutions and various other international sanctions" and that "the international community will unite more tightly in response to such a move." Additionally, Yoon stated that North Korea's nuclear and missile programs pose not only an existential threat to South Korea but a severe risk to global peace.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Yoon's plea for the UN Security Council, on September 23, to undergo reform and accused Russia of seeking weapons from North Korea during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Blinken stated their cooperation poses “threats to broader security." As well as Blinken, American national security advisor, Jake Sullivan reported that Russia receiving weapons "is not going to reflect well on North Korea and they will pay a price for this in the international community."