North Korea and Russia’s hot-and-cold relationship rapidly heats up



Analysis North Korea and Russia’s hot-and-cold relationship rapidly heats up Reported arms deal between the two less about solidarity and more about Kim Jong Un’s needs for hard cash Edward Howell October 7, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea Kim Jong-un in Russky Island, Vladivostok, April 25, 2019. \| Image: President of Russia In a year when North Korea and Russia have made numerous affirmations of their bilateral relations, few were astonished when U.S. intelligence assessments suggested that Moscow is seeking to purchase military supplies, rockets and ammunition from Pyongyang. Facing the bite of sanctions amid the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is desperate to acquire any supplies, notwithstanding their origin. It would be a winning deal for Kim Jong Un as well: The regime is perpetually cash-strapped and wants maximum concessions from any state, friend or foe, when it can get it. While the DPRK quickly Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01All the question marks hanging over Trump’s approach to North Korea in term two 02Time almost up for North Korea’s plan to launch 3 military satellites in 2024 03Trump return rekindles prospects of North Korea talks, but Russia stands in way 04How China could benefit from North Korea’s troop deployment to Ukraine 05New North Korean ICBM delivers big political message, and likely bigger payloads 06How North Korea-Russia ties will challenge next US president, no matter who wins 07What to make of the stunning collapse in value of North Korean won 08What to know about Kim Yong Bok, the man leading North Korean troops in Russia

Analysis

North Korea and Russia’s hot-and-cold relationship rapidly heats up

Reported arms deal between the two less about solidarity and more about Kim Jong Un’s needs for hard cash

Edward Howell October 7, 2022

North Korea and Russia’s hot-and-cold relationship rapidly heats up

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea Kim Jong-un in Russky Island, Vladivostok, April 25, 2019. | Image: President of Russia

In a year when North Korea and Russia have made numerous affirmations of their bilateral relations, few were astonished when U.S. intelligence assessments suggested that Moscow is seeking to purchase military supplies, rockets and ammunition from Pyongyang.

Facing the bite of sanctions amid the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is desperate to acquire any supplies, notwithstanding their origin. It would be a winning deal for Kim Jong Un as well: The regime is perpetually cash-strapped and wants maximum concessions from any state, friend or foe, when it can get it.

While the DPRK quickly

North Korea and Russia’s hot-and-cold relationship rapidly heats up

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Edward Howell