Russia’s Role in North Korea’s Military Posturing: Nuclear Cooperation Concerns

[william]

There is suspicion that Russia is behind North Korea’s show of military power and continued provocations.
Putin drew attention by saying in an interview that “North Korea has its nuclear umbrella.” A nuclear umbrella refers to a system that can protect one’s country with nuclear weapons, and Putin said in an interview that North Korea owns it. Currently, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes five countries as nuclear-armed states: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. Israel and India are politically recognized countries. North Korea is a country that cannot possess nuclear weapons either in the treaty or politically, but it is continually developing nuclear weapons. Putin’s remarks this time can be interpreted as a strategy to lead North Korea to the position of a politically recognized nuclear haves. There are predictions from experts that if North Korea rises to the position of the nuclear haves, nuclear cooperation between Russia and North Korea will continue. As Putin’s regime in Russia continues for 30 years, and North Korea is also preparing for a fourth-generation succession, unusual movements of dictatorial power are being found. It is a time when strong international regulations and condemnations are needed to prevent them from continuing nuclear cooperation.

Russia's Role in North Korea's Military Posturing: Nuclear Cooperation Concerns

North Korean Media Reports Kim Jong Un's Supervision of Artillery TrainingKim Ju Ae's Appearance Signals Serious Fourth-Generation SuccessionPossibility

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[william]

Putin’s Bombshell: North Korea Declared as ‘Nuclear Power,’​

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that North Korea “has its nuclear umbrella.” This could mean that Russia is planning on ignoring the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the NPT, and acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. “This seems to be the first strategic step to shake up South Korea with such a statement.” He also expressed concern that “Putin may officially visit North Korea and acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear-armed state in 2024, and it is possible to take measures to cooperate with DPRK on nuclear matters.”

North Korea is technologically considered to have nuclear weapons capability. However, being acknowledged internationally as a nuclear-armed state is a different problem. According to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), only five countries—the US, Russia, the UK, France, and China—have nuclear powers. Apart from the Treaty, India, Pakistan, and Israel have been recognized as nuclear powers due to political reasons.

According to a report titled North Korea’s Pursuit of Being Recognized as a Nuclear-armed State, which was recently released by Senior Research Fellow Kim Sung-bae of the Institute for National Security Strategy, India and Pakistan obtained relief from sanctions and secured the status of nuclear powers through comprehensive negotiations and cooperation with the United States after conducting nuclear tests.

Also, Israel secured the status of a nuclear power politically through a secret agreement with the United States and avoided sanctions. For an extended period, North Korea has also been making efforts to acquire the status of a nuclear power through active negotiations with the United States after conducting nuclear tests. However, the North-U.S. summit, scheduled to be held in Hanoi in 2019, collapsed, leading to the failure of such plans. However, there are predictions that things could go as North Korea wishes if Trump regains power in the United States. However, the nuclear issue can pose a major threat to the world. Since North Korea is a ceasefire country, it won’t be easy to obtain the title of a political nuclear power recognition state.
If Putin supports Kim Jong Un and North Korea gains the status of a “nuclear power state,” Russia and North Korea are expected to cooperate in actual nuclear research and development.
The fact that Russia, which is at war, and North Korea, which is in a ceasefire, possess “nuclear” weapons and conduct in-depth research can pose a direct threat to the security of the world. Although it seems complicated for North Korea to quickly obtain the title of a nuclear power, given these circumstances, the aggressive attitude of Russia cannot be reassuring.

Putin's Bombshell: North Korea Declared as 'Nuclear Power,' What's Next?

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www.kangnamtimes.com

 

[william]

Blinken: Russia 'May Be Close' to a Big Move on N. Korea​

Russia is close to sharing advanced space technology with North Korea, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to South Korea on Monday, warning that the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance continues to develop. North Korea "is already receiving Russian military equipment and training," Blinken said in a press conference from Seoul, per Politico. "Now we have reason to believe that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with Pyongyang." Furthermore, Russia "may be close to reversing a decades-long policy" and recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power, Blinken said, echoing an earlier warning by the US ambassador to the United Nations, per CNN.

This past October, South Korea's defense minister said Pyongyang was likely to request Russian technology related to tactical nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites, and nuclear submarines. Blinken spoke on what is expected to be his last foreign tour as America's top diplomat. "His remarks coincided with North Korea firing a midrange ballistic missile into the East Sea on Monday," per Axios.

Blinken: Russia 'May Be Close' to a Big Move on N. Korea

Top US diplomat says Kremlin may soon recognize nation as nuclear power, share space tech

www.newser.com