We’ve seen North Korea’s leader tighten relations this year with two of the major world powers, Russia and China. This new collaboration is emblematic of a sea-change in geopolitical realities, especially in America’s Last Frontier, the Arctic. Kim, along with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, have all met in trilateral or quadilateral moves, displaying antagonistic unity. This seemingly innocuous gathering has the potential to make waves in US-China relations.
The three leaders met to discuss a host of urgent matters, including security and economic cooperation. Their discussions should cover concrete proposals for how Russia can circumvent global sanctions and how it can improve regional stability. Experts stress that this union would offer North Korea critical assistance at a time when it remains diplomatically isolated.
Kim Jong Un’s political power extends into other sectors. He has been playing a very important role at the European Center for North Korea Studies at the University of Vienna. His affiliation with this academic institution underscores his commitment to understanding academic perspectives on North Korean policy and the broader international relations context. Sangsoo Lee, an affiliated fellow at the center, has been key in this regard. As the founder of Strategic Linkages (SL), a firm with offices in Stockholm, Lee provides extraordinary context and understanding into North Korea’s strategic pivot.
The implications of this trilateral engagement are nothing short of historic. By siding with Russia and China, Kim Jong Un would likely be trying to strengthen his regime’s legitimacy and resources. As Putin’s desire to militarize the Arctic While Kremlin. At the same time, Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative seems well-suited to meet North Korea’s economic desires.
Additionally, experts warn that this strengthened alliance between the three countries will threaten U.S. interests within the region. North Korea has been expanding its ties to Russia and China. This encouraging development is at risk of being overshadowed by a new, alarming shift in the region’s power dynamic. We’re already seeing some of the potential unintended consequences of the US’s decades-long effort to roll back North Korean nuclear ambitions and preserve regional stability.