{"id":2205523,"date":"2024-06-20T18:05:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T09:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205523"},"modified":"2024-06-21T17:24:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T08:24:00","slug":"south-korea-faces-geopolitical-balancing-act-as-russia-and-north-korea-align","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/06\/south-korea-faces-geopolitical-balancing-act-as-russia-and-north-korea-align\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea faces geopolitical balancing act as Russia and North Korea align"},"content":{"rendered":"
Russian leader Vladimir Putin\u2019s <\/span>visit<\/span><\/a> to Pyongyang marks a deepening of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. During the summit, Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a <\/span>comprehensive strategic partnership treaty<\/span><\/a>, which states that the two countries will \u201cimmediately provide military assistance\u201d in the case of an attack on one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n A day after Russia and the DPRK announced their comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, South Korea expressed \u201cserious concern\u201d and condemned the treaty, and a high-level ROK government official stated Seoul will \u201c<\/span>reconsider\u201d<\/span> its current policy of not sending lethal weapons directly to Ukraine.<\/p>\n This development poses significant <\/span>risks<\/span><\/a> to South Korea\u2019s security, including the potential for increased military cooperation, technology transfer and challenges to Seoul\u2019s defense strategy and regional stability.<\/span><\/p>\n AMBIGUITY OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE<\/b><\/p>\n The \u201cmilitary assistance\u201d clause in the Russia-North Korea strategic partnership agreement raises concerns due to its ambiguous language. The agreement states that if either party is subjected to \u201caggression,\u201d the other will provide military and other assistance by all available means, in accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter and the laws of both countries.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the lack of clarity in defining what constitutes aggression leaves room for interpretation and potential misuse. This ambiguity would allow Russia to justify the provision of various forms of assistance to North Korea under the guise that it is fulfilling its obligations as part of the agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n North Korea\u2019s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a key factor in the strengthening of ties between the two countries. Pyongyang has provided Russia with a significant number of <\/span>artillery shells<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>ballistic missiles<\/span><\/a>, helping to sustain Moscow\u2019s military campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n In return, Russia may offer assistance in advancing North Korea\u2019s weapons programs. This potential technology transfer will significantly enhance North Korea\u2019s military capabilities, posing a grave threat to South Korea\u2019s security.<\/span><\/p>\n One concrete example of how Russia might exploit the ambiguity of the \u201cmilitary assistance\u201d clause is by helping North Korea <\/span>evade sanctions<\/span><\/a>. Putin has already expressed his intention to assist North Korea in circumventing sanctions as much as possible, which will likely include formalizing arrangements for North Korean workers to be sent to Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, Russia <\/span>vetoed<\/span><\/a> in April the renewal of the U.N. Security Council\u2019s annual mandate for the Panel of Experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of sanctions against North Korea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n