Kim Jong Un Pledges Support to Putin as Russia Adversaries Unite Against US Global Power

Strategic Insights -

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin solidified their alliance on Wednesday, vowing to cooperate militarily and economically, as they joined Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a pomp-filled military parade in Beijing. Kim's attendance marked a significant departure from his reclusive nature, as he flanked Xi and Putin at the parade, showcasing a united front against US global influence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kim Jong Un has pledged to do "everything possible" to assist Russia, considering it his "fraternal obligation" to help Moscow.
  • The two nations signed a historic mutual defense treaty during Putin's visit to Pyongyang last summer, their first in 24 years.
  • Putin and Kim have maintained a close relationship, with Russia providing North Korea with ballistic missiles and artillery to support its war against Ukraine.
  • North Korea has sent around 15,000 soldiers to Russia since last year, with an estimated 2,000 killed.
  • Analysts believe Kim's primary interest in meeting Putin is to explore ways to continue their military partnership and gain from Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
  • However, Kim is also wary of relying too heavily on Russia and is hedging between Moscow and Beijing, with China serving as North Korea's largest trading partner.
  • The Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center's Alexander Gabuev called Trump's efforts to draw Russia away from China's orbit "little more than a fantasy land."

Statistics:

  • 15,000: The estimated number of North Korean soldiers sent to Russia since last year.
  • 2,000: The estimated number of North Korean soldiers killed in Russia.
  • 80th: The anniversary of China's defeat of imperial Japan and the end of World War II, marked by the military parade in Beijing.

Sources:

  • "Truth Social" (quote from posts by President Donald Trump)
  • Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center (quote)
  • Rachel Minyoung Lee, North Korea expert at the Washington-based Stimson Center (quote)
  • Reuters (Kim Jong Un's meeting with Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing)