{"id":2205482,"date":"2024-06-17T18:49:39","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T09:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205482"},"modified":"2024-06-18T15:28:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T06:28:38","slug":"how-seoul-can-respond-to-new-security-threats-from-a-putin-trip-to-pyongyang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/06\/how-seoul-can-respond-to-new-security-threats-from-a-putin-trip-to-pyongyang\/","title":{"rendered":"How Seoul can respond to new security threats from a Putin trip to Pyongyang"},"content":{"rendered":"
Russian leader Vladimir Putin will<\/span>\u00a0make his first visit<\/a> to North Korea in <\/span>24 years<\/a> on Tuesday<\/span>, a visit that will likely look to further develop their <\/span>increasing military cooperation<\/span><\/a> since the start of the war in Ukraine.<\/span><\/p>\n While the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two nations poses risks to South Korea\u2019s national security, it also presents opportunities for Seoul to respond strategically and adapt its approach to the changing geopolitical dynamics in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n EVOLVING GEOPOLITICAL LANDSCAPE<\/b><\/p>\n North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited Putin to visit Pyongyang during their <\/span>meeting<\/span><\/a> at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia in Sept. 2023, laying the foundation for the upcoming visit.<\/span><\/p>\n Since Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the two nations have strengthened their military cooperation, with North Korea providing critical support to Moscow. According to South Korean military estimates, North Korea has provided <\/span>nearly half<\/span><\/a> of Russia\u2019s artillery advantage over Ukraine this year, as well as <\/span>ballistic missiles<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In return, North Korea will likely expect Russian know-how to advance its <\/span>drones<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>satellite and engine components<\/span><\/a>, which may enhance Pyongyang\u2019s weapons programs. In an interview with <\/span>Bloomberg News<\/span><\/i><\/a>, South Korean defense minister Shin Won-sik said the DPRK used Russia\u2019s latest space rocket technology in its most recent <\/span>attempt<\/span><\/a> to put a military spy satellite in space last month.<\/span><\/p>\n Further, Russia and North Korea share a common view of the U.S. as a threat to their respective regimes. This perception has led to increased alignment between the two nations, with Russia offering <\/span>diplomatic support<\/span><\/a> to North Korea and both countries engaging in provocative actions against the U.S. and its allies.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea, meanwhile, has sought to balance its relationships with the U.S., China and Russia. Seoul has joined U.S.-led sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine but has <\/span>refrained from directly supplying weapons<\/span><\/a> to Kyiv.<\/span><\/p>\n