Kim Jong Un’s Train Departs for Possible Meeting with Putin

Kim Jong Un’s Train Departs for Possible Meeting with Putin. Image / Assosiated Press

Seoul, September 11, 2023: Reports suggest that a train presumably carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has left for Russia, indicating a possible meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. South Korean media, citing unidentified government sources, reported the train’s departure from Pyongyang on Sunday evening. A Kim-Putin meeting could potentially take place as early as Tuesday, although South Korea’s government has yet to confirm these details.

Background on Kim-Putin Meeting

U.S. officials recently released intelligence indicating that North Korea and Russia were arranging a meeting between their leaders within this month, signaling increased cooperation between the two nations amid growing confrontations with the United States. The potential meeting’s location could be Vladivostok, a city in eastern Russia, where Putin is attending an international forum.

Reasons for Meeting

The meeting’s agenda may include discussions on securing additional supplies of North Korean artillery and other ammunition for Russia, as it grapples with a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Putin aims to demonstrate his ability to sustain a prolonged war of attrition. This situation could place added pressure on the U.S. and its allies to engage in negotiations.

North Korea possesses significant stocks of artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs, which could significantly boost the Russian army’s capabilities.

In exchange, Kim Jong Un may seek essential energy and food aid, as well as advanced weapons technologies, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, and military reconnaissance satellites. These developments raise concerns about the potential transfer of technology that could increase the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile arsenal.

Growing Russia-North Korea Bond

Russia and North Korea have been drawing closer to each other since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This growing bond is driven by Putin’s need for assistance in the war and Kim’s desire to strengthen partnerships with Moscow and Beijing to counter Washington.

North Korea has blamed the U.S. for the Ukraine crisis, claiming that the West’s “hegemonic policy” justified Russia’s offensive. It is also one of the few nations, alongside Russia and Syria, to recognize the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and has expressed interest in sending construction workers to assist with rebuilding efforts.

Russia’s Role in U.N. Sanctions

Russia and China have consistently blocked U.S.-led efforts at the United Nations Security Council to strengthen sanctions on North Korea in response to its missile tests. They have accused the U.S. of escalating tensions by expanding military exercises with South Korea and Japan.

Speculation and Evidence of Military Cooperation

Speculation about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea grew after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea in July. Kim showcased intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to target the U.S. mainland during a military parade in the capital.

Kim’s visits to weapons factories in North Korea, which included a facility producing artillery systems, likely aimed to encourage modernization of weaponry and examine supplies that could potentially be exported to Russia.

Kim-Putin Meeting: Symbolic or Substantial?

While a potential Kim-Putin meeting has garnered significant attention, some analysts believe it may be more about symbolic gains than substantial military cooperation. Russia’s reluctance to share critical weapons technologies and the limited nature of war supplies transported between the two nations via rail could limit technology transfers.

The meeting, if it occurs, could provide both leaders with symbolic victories and strengthen their diplomatic positions on the international stage.