{"id":2205595,"date":"2024-06-27T15:15:27","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T06:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205595"},"modified":"2024-06-28T17:22:26","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T08:22:26","slug":"putins-pyongyang-visit-heightens-south-koreas-security-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/06\/putins-pyongyang-visit-heightens-south-koreas-security-dilemma\/","title":{"rendered":"Putin\u2019s Pyongyang visit heightens South Korea\u2019s security dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"
Russian leader Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to Pyongyang last week and his signing of a <\/span>comprehensive strategic partnership treaty<\/span><\/a> with Kim Jong Un marks a further deterioration in the regional security situation and heightens South Korea\u2019s security conundrum.<\/span><\/p>\n However, contrary to what Putin claims to want, the treaty will likely result in South Korea aligning more closely with the U.S., Japan and its Western partners.<\/span><\/p>\n PUTIN AND KIM\u2019S CALCULATION<\/b><\/p>\n At face value, the partnership treaty is not new. It simply restores the <\/span>Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance<\/span><\/a> that was in place from 1961 until 2000. Nor is the ROK the main focus of this agreement. Instead, it aims to strengthen Russia\u2019s position and build opposition to what Moscow, Pyongyang and Beijing see as U.S. efforts to cling to global primacy.<\/span><\/p>\n The agreement represents a significant raising of stakes by Putin, reflecting both confidence and weakness on the part of the Russian leader.<\/span><\/p>\n During Putin\u2019s one-day visit, he and Kim focused almost entirely on security. While there were other agreements on issues such as tourism, customs and a bridge over the Tumen River, those appear minor.<\/span><\/p>\n Kim will be very pleased with the outcome. The pomp, ostentation and arranged crowds allowed him to show off his statesmanship to his people and the world. Although Putin brought with him much of his Cabinet, Kim insisted on greeting Putin one-on-one and ensured video footage focused solely on the two leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, regaining Russia\u2019s commitment to provide assistance in the event of war is a significant achievement for Kim. While the treaty\u2019s terms are vague and leave room for backsliding, it strengthens the DPRK\u2019s position on the peninsula and returns it to its Cold War position of being able to play off its two patrons, China and Russia, against each other.<\/span><\/p>\n The pomp and ceremony also work for Putin, who is keen to refute the suggestion that Russia is isolated. However, his calculation is more complex and riskier.<\/span><\/p>\n Putin\u2019s immediate goal appears to be acquiring further material assistance for his invasion of Ukraine. Despite Russian troops\u2019 advancement on the frontlines, the war is still not going well for Russia as the U.S. and other NATO countries appear to have become less restrained in their supply of arms to Kyiv.<\/span><\/p>\n Putin will be happy to get Kim\u2019s <\/span>full-throated support<\/span><\/a> for his invasion of Ukraine and can expect a continued or even greater flow of <\/span>DPRK ammunition and weapons<\/span><\/a> and potentially personnel.<\/span><\/p>\n Establishing closer ties with Pyongyang also carries a message for Beijing \u2014 both Russia and the DPRK have other options besides Chinese support.<\/span><\/p>\n