In a summit between North Korea and Russia in Seoul, South Korea, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared his “full and unconditional support” for his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Amid warnings from the U.S. and global concerns, the two leaders—both of who are facing Western isolation—converged, fueling speculations of a potential arms deal to support Russia in its conflict in Ukraine.
At Russia’s Far East spaceport, the two leaders had a meeting that lasted around four hours. The location has led to speculation that Kim is seeking Russian aid to develop military surveillance satellites, which he perceives as vital in augmenting North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. This meeting points to an alignment of interests, as Putin, it is believed, is looking for ammunition to supplement Russia’s arsenal for its Soviet-era weapons, something North Korea reportedly has in surplus.
Putin greeted Kim on his arrival—in an armored train from Pyongyang—at the launch center, engaging in a forty-second handshake. During their discussion, Putin highlighted the former Soviet Union’s military support to North Korea, and shed light on issues around economic cooperation, regional situations, and humanitarian concerns. Kim reciprocated by pledging continued support for Moscow, making an inferred reference to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Analysts have suggested that North Korea might have the capacity to supplement Russian forces in Ukraine with millions of Soviet-era artillery shells and rockets. Accusations have been made against North Korea by Washington of providing weapons to Russia, specifically to the Russian mercenary organization, Wagner—a claim both Russian and North Korean officials deny. If true, however, these actions would infringe upon international sanctions that Russia has previously agreed to, and give further indications of Russia’s isolation after its invasion of Ukraine.
These meetings were not solely focused on politics, as Kim and Putin reportedly toured a Soyuz-2 rocket launch facility, where Kim inquired about Russian space technology. Following these talks, the North Korean leader was provided with an official lunch, and it was reported by Russian state-run media that he would be visiting two more cities in Russia’s Far East. Putin described his country’s relationship with North Korea as one of equals, discussing potential cooperation in fields such as transportation and agriculture, while evading questions on military collaboration.
This summit has sparked concerns over international sanctions. Notably, James O’Brien of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Sanctions Coordination hinted at possible challenges to Russia’s global position owing to its overt liaising with the sanctioned North Korea. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for any North Korean collaboration to respect the sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council.
