Russia, North Korea and China are adjusting the final details for the new front that is to be opened in East Asia, that of South Korea and Japan.
B. Putin and Kim Jong Un will upgrade the relationship between the two countries to the level of “Strategic Partnership”.
The talks will be held at Kim Jong Un’s residence, both in narrow and extended form. The most “important and sensitive” issues will be discussed during a long informal conversation between the leaders of the countries, which will take place during a walk in the residence and during tea drinking, as was the case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the recent visit of the Russian president to China.
The Russian delegation to North Korea includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and his deputy for armaments Alexei Krivoruchko, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov (he is also the chairman of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and scientific-technical cooperation), Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit, Head of Roscosmos Yuri Borisov, Head of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov and Governor of Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako.
North Koreans and Russians will sign “important documents” on the occasion of Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea today, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Kremlin announced to Russian media today, which also spoke of signing a “strategic cooperation” agreement.
The Russian president will arrive late Tuesday night in Pyongyang, but the full official program is scheduled for the following day, according to his diplomatic adviser, Yuri Usakov.
“Important documents, very important” will be signed, he said, even mentioning “the possible conclusion of a comprehensive strategic cooperation”.
“This treaty, if signed, will naturally be shaped in connection with the important geopolitical developments in the world and in the region and with the qualitative changes that have recently taken place in our bilateral relations,” he stressed according to Russian news agencies.
“The two sides are still working on it and the final decision on its signature will be made within the next few hours,” he added.
According to information, the Russian leader has already approved the draft document.
“Accept the proposal of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, agreed with the relevant federal government agencies and organizations, to sign the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” Putin’s order reads.
President Vladimir Putin today Tuesday, 18/6/2024, assured North Korea that he has Russia’s “undivided support” against “the cunning, dangerous and aggressive enemy”, hours before his arrival in Pyongyang for an official visit.
“Russia supported (North Korea) and its heroic people in their fight to defend their right to choose the path of independence, individuality and development by their own means in the confrontation with the cunning, dangerous and aggressive enemy. , yesterday and tomorrow as well, and they will have her undivided support in the future as well ,” Putin wrote in an article published by North Korea’s official Rodong Shinmun newspaper and broadcast by the KCNA news agency.
The Russian president’s article is titled “Russia and the DPRK: traditions of friendship and cooperation are preserved decade after decade.”
“The peoples of the two countries carefully preserve the memory of the stubborn joint struggle against Japanese militarism and pay tribute to the fallen heroes.
The Russian President recalled that in August 1945, Soviet soldiers, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Korean patriots, defeated the Kwantung Army, liberated the Korean peninsula from the colonizers and opened the way for independent development for the Korean people.
The Russian President noted that he appreciates the DPRK’s strong support in conducting a special military operation and solidarity on key issues.
“This policy of trying to isolate Russia has failed. (…) It is gratifying that our Korean friends – despite years of economic pressure, provocations, blackmail and military threats from the United States – are defending their interests just as effectively.
We see with how much strength, dignity and courage the people of the DRC are fighting for their freedom, sovereignty and national traditions. They are achieving colossal results, real breakthroughs in strengthening the country’s defense and technological, scientific and industrial power,” noted B. Putin.
He also said that Pyongyang “firmly supports” the Russian military attack on Ukraine and thanked it for that.
According to Putin, the two countries have plans to work together to build a security architecture in Eurasia, counter Western sanctions and establish independent trading systems.
American media, such as WSJ and Bloomberg, consider the transfer of nuclear technology to North Korea very likely. In our opinion, North Korea has already received know-how in various fields, including in the nuclear field.
Doing so would pose a great risk to US military bases in Japan, South Korea and Guam.
Bloomberg notes that “any weapons technology North Korea acquires would enhance its ability to launch lethal strikes against Japan and South Korea, where the bulk of US forces are based in the region, and perhaps acquire a continental nuclear strike capability.”
In addition, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un may sign a pact for military intervention in the event of an emergency. This will make it more difficult for Washington to plan for contingencies, increasing the risks of military action,” the Americans conclude.
Agreement on China’s access to the Sea of Japan
Russia, China and North Korea will begin talks to allow Chinese ships to pass through the Tuman River border into the Sea of Japan, Nikkei Asia reports. The publication notes that Moscow’s position, which was negative, has recently changed.
“Chinese ships can now sail freely along the river only as far as the village of Fangchuan and cannot reach the sea, as they need permission from Russia and North Korea to pass the remaining 15 km,” the Nikkei points out. Asia.
However, in May this year, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping agreed to intensify dialogue on this issue, including on North Korea. North Korea’s participation in the negotiations is necessary since Moscow and Pyongyang built the so-called Friendship Bridge in the Soviet era, which is an additional barrier to Chinese ships.
And although Beijing has long pushed for a special economic zone along the Tuman River, no decision has ever been made.
The change will significantly affect security in the area.
Chisako Masuo, a professor at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, said large Chinese ships and coast guard forces will sail directly into the Sea of Japan.
” If Chinese coast guard vessels become active in the Sea of Japan, Japan will need to divert its own coast guard vessels that are currently monitoring waters near the Senkaku Islands,” Masuo said.
“It could weaken surveillance in the East China Sea,” he said.
Japan is in danger of being surrounded by the Chinese and Russian Fleet.
