Kim Jong-un of North Korea to hold talks with Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss potential arms trade – The New York Times

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly planning to travel to Russia this month to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss the possibility of supplying Moscow with weapons for the war in Ukraine, according to the New York Times. This rare trip abroad would see Kim travel from Pyongyang, most likely by armoured train, to Vladivostok on the Pacific Coast of Russia. The two leaders would then discuss a potential exchange where Kim would provide Russia with artillery shells and anti-tank missiles in exchange for advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.

The news of Kim’s planned visit comes amidst growing concerns about military ties between North Korea and Russia. Russia has recently expressed interest in holding joint military exercises with North Korea, stating that they consider them to be their neighbors and that it is better to live with neighbors in peace and harmony. South Korea’s intelligence agency has also reported that Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, proposed a naval exercise involving China and North Korea during his visit to Pyongyang in July.

It is notable that Kim would choose to travel to Russia instead of his main ally China for his first overseas trip since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision could be seen as a way for Kim to demonstrate that he has international backing, especially as the United States, South Korea, and Japan strengthen their ties and display their military power in the region. While the actual military and economic value of any deal between North Korea and Russia is debatable, it is likely that the discussions would lead to some level of military cooperation and an increase in North Korean workers in Russia.

According to North Korea expert Andrei Lankov, the main goal of this meeting for Kim would be to show that he has friends and support on the international stage. He wants to send a signal to Washington that Russia is capable of creating trouble for the United States in East Asia. Lankov also notes that without the war in Ukraine, Russia would not have shown much interest in North Korea.

The South Korean foreign ministry has stated that it is closely monitoring the developments and has called on United Nations member states to not violate sanctions, including through arms deals with North Korea. The United States has expressed concerns about the active arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea, especially as Shoigu reportedly tried to convince Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia during his visit.

It remains to be seen whether Kim will indeed travel to Russia, as nothing has been confirmed at this point. However, if the trip does happen, it could have significant implications for the region and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.

Original Story at www.reuters.com – 2023-09-05 08:37:30