Russia’s Relations with the DPRK in the 21st Century: Results of the First 20 Years

Cover Page

Cite item

Full Text

Abstract

February 2020 marked 20 years since a new Treaty on Friendship, Good-neighborliness and Cooperation was signed between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The document constitutes a basis of modern bilateral relations, free of ideology and based on the principles of pragmatism and mutual benefit. The article explores main directions and results in bilateral ties in 2000-2019 in order to identify the priorities of Russia and the results that Moscow managed to achieve for each of them. The presented hierarchy of Russia’s key interests in relation to the DPRK makes it possible to assess the current level of bilateral interaction and outline the logic of its development and prospects. It was revealed that Russia’s top priority is stability on its borders. Neither a military conflict, nor a humanitarian catastrophe, nor “a larger Republic of Korea” is beneficial to Moscow. Therefore, the Russian Federation seeks to maintain the status quo, contributing (without prejudice to itself) to the economic development of North Korea. With regard to the nuclear settlement, Moscow is not concerned with Pyongyang’s nuclear missile potential per se, but with its possible consequences for regional security. There is a clear understanding that North Korean nukes are not directed against Russia. The second-level priority is Moscow’s observance of its international obligations, the refusal of which may negatively affect the country’s positions in the international arena and other regions. This group of priorities includes Russia’s participation in the nuclear settlement and compliance with the UN Security Council sanctions. In the third place is the protection of Russian economic interests in the region, which are few at this stage, since most economic projects have a political background. The authors conclude that Russia’s strategic goals (peace and security in the Northeast Asia) have not been achieved yet, while the main tactical ones (i.e. border stability) have been mostly attained, although with some damage to less significant priorities (such as economic interests in the region).

About the authors

Konstantin Valerianovich Asmolov

Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: asmolov@ifes-ras.ru

PhD in History, Leading Researcher, Center for Korean Studies

Moscow, Russian Federation

Liudmila Vladimirovna Zakharova

Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: ludmila_hph@rambler.ru

PhD in Economics, Senior Researcher, Center for Korean Studies

Moscow, Russian Federation

References

  1. Blank, S. (2015). Russia and the Two Koreas in the Context of Moscow’s Asian Policy. Academic Papers Series. Washington, DC: Korea Economic Institute of America, September, 60—76.
  2. Burghart, S., Park, D. & Zakharova, L. (2019). The DPRK’s Economic Exchanges with Russia and the EU since 2000: An Analysis of Institutional Effects and the Case of the Russian Far East. Asia Europe Journal, 1—23. doi: 10.1007/s10308-019-00544-4
  3. Chichin, D.V. (2004). Main Directions of Military Cooperation between Russia, the Republic of Korea, and the DPRK in 1990—2000s. In: Kurbanov, S.O. (Eds.). Issues of the Korean History, 2004. Saint-Petersburg: Izd-vo SPbGU publ. P. 171—197. (In Russian).
  4. Denisov, V.I. & Pyatachkova, A.S. (2019). The Future of the Korean Peninsula: Topical Issues and Possible Solutions. Outlines of Global Transformations: Politics, Economics, Law, 12 (1), 86—101. doi: 10.23932/2542-0240-2019-12-1-86-101. (In Russian).
  5. Denisov, V.I. & Zhebin, A.Z. (Eds.). (2008). Korean Settlement and Russia’s Interests. Moscow: Russkaya panorama publ. (In Russian).
  6. Denisov, V.I. (2015). Russia and the Korean Peninsula in the New International Situation. IMI Yearbook, 11 (1), 39—49. (In Russian).
  7. Dyachkov, I.V. (2020). Korean Nuclear Problem in 2019: Challenges for the Region and for Russia. Tambov University Review: Series Humanities, 25 (184), 201—208. doi: 10.20310/1810-0201-2020-25-184-201-208. (In Russian).
  8. Dynkin, A.A. (Eds.). (2013). Strategic Global Forecast to 2030. Moscow: Magistr publ.
  9. Fedorovsky, A. (2020). Korean Crisis and Regional Processes in Northeast Asia. World Economy and International Relations, 64 (1), 46—55. doi: 10.20542/0131-2227-2020-64-1-46-55. (In Russian).
  10. Kim, D.J. (2012). Russian Influence on North Korea: Views of Former South Korean Ambassadors to Russia. The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 24 (3), 391—404.
  11. Kozlov, L.E. (2018). Factor of the DPRK in the Economic Development of the Russian Far East. Asia and Africa Today, 4, 18—24. doi: 10.7868/S0321507518040037. (In Russian).
  12. Kukla, M.P. (2017). Realities and Prospects of the Russia — North Korea Economic Relations. Ojkumena. Regional Researches, 2, 61—71. (In Russian).
  13. Kunadze, G.F. (1999). Russian Policy towards the DPRK. World Economy and International Relations, 12, 36—41. (In Russian).
  14. Leshakov, P.S. (2005). Russia’s Role in the Policy of Economic Engagement of the DPRK. In: Zhebin, A.Z. (Eds.). Korea: New Horizons: reports presented at the IX Scientific Conference of Korean Studies in Russia and CIS countries, Moscow, March 29–30, 2005. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 201—208. (In Russian).
  15. Lukin, A. et al. (2017). Nuclear Weapons аnd Russian–North Korean Relations. Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia. URL: https://www.fpri.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/NuclearWeaponsRussiaDPRKDec2017.pdf (accessed: 02.05.2020).
  16. Lukin, A.L. (2017). Russia and the North Korea Nuclear Crisis. Oriental Institute Journal, 34 (2), 59—67. doi: 10.24866/2542-1611/2017-2/59-67. (In Russian).
  17. Lukonin, S.A. (2018). Prospects of the Economic Cooperation of the Russian Federation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Innovazii i Investizii, 8, 77—81. (In Russian).
  18. Matsegora, A.I. (2014). The Korean Peninsula in Russia’s Policy. In: Zhebin, A.Z. (Eds.). Korea: History Lessons and Modern Challenges: reports presented at the XVII scientific conference of Korean studies in Russia and the CIS. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 12—17. (In Russian).
  19. Mikheev, V.V. (2003). The Future of the DPRK in the Light of the New International Situation. In: Tkachenko, V.P. (Eds.). Korean Peninsula and Challenges of the 21st Century: reports presented at the Korean scientific conference. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 21—23. (In Russian).
  20. Mikheev, V.V. & Fedorovsky, A.N. (Eds.). (2018). Crisis and New Political Agenda for the Korean Peninsula and the Regional Powers. Moscow: IMEMO RAN publ. (In Russian).
  21. Mishin, V.Y. (2016). Russia — North Korea: Mutual Search of Integration Paths. Possibilities and Prospects. Russia and the Pacific, 92 (2), 62—71. (In Russian).
  22. North Korea — Russia Relations: A Strained Friendship. (2007). Asia Briefing, 71. Seoul/Brussels: International Crisis Group, December 4. URL: https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/b71-north-korea-russia-relations-a-strained-friendship.pdf (accessed: 02.04.2020).
  23. Pankina, I.Y. (2009). Trade and Economic Relations between Russia and the DPRK. Vostok. Afro-Aziatskie Obshchestva: Istoriia i Sovremennost, 5, 168—170. (In Russian).
  24. Park, C.K., Tan, E. & Govindasamy, G. (2013). The Revival of Russia’s Role on the Korean Peninsula. Asian Perspective, 3 (1), 125—147. doi: 10.1353/apr.2013.0007
  25. Rinna, A.V. (2019). Sanctions, Security and Regional Development in Russia’s Policies toward North Korea. Asian International Studies Review, 20 (1), 21—37.
  26. Sharafetdinova, A.I. (2017). Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK in Attracting Labor Resources amid Tightening International Sanctions. In: Zhebin, A.Z. (Eds.). Korea Faces New Challenges. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 312—322. (In Russian).
  27. Streltsov, D., Kireeva, A. & Dyachkov, I. (2018). Russia’s View on the International Security in Northeast Asia. The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 30 (1), 115—134.
  28. Suslina, S.S. (2006). Russia’s Economic Impact on the Republic of Korea and the DPRK in the Light of Integration Processes in Northeast Asia. In: Zhebin, A.Z. (Eds.). Korean Peninsula and Challenges of Globalization: reports presented at the X Scientific Conference of Korean Studies in Russia and the CIS, Moscow, March 29—30, 2006. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 114—126. (In Russian).
  29. The Rise of Phantom Traders: Russian Oil Exports to North Korea. (2018). Asan Report. The Asan Institute for Policy Studies, July. URL: http://en.asaninst.org/contents/the-rise-of-phantom-traders-russian-oil-exports-to-north-korea/ (accessed: 02.04.2020).
  30. Titarenko, M.L. (2001). On Russia’s Policy towards the DPRK. In: Savelyev, R.V. (Eds.). Korean Peninsula: Myths, Expectations, and Reality. Vol. 2. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 80—93. (In Russian).
  31. Tkachenko, V.P. (2000). Korean Peninsula and Russia’s Interests. Moscow: Vostochnaya literature RAN publ. (In Russian).
  32. Toloraya, G. & Vorontsov, A. (2015). Russia’s Turn to the East Policy: Role of Northeast Asia and the Korean peninsula. International Journal of Korean Unification Studies, 24 (3), 31—66.
  33. Toloraya, G. (2002). Russia and North Korea: Ten Years Later. In: Akaha, T. (Eds.). The Future of North Korea. London, NY: Routledge. P. 147—156.
  34. Toloraya, G.D. & Yakovleva, L.N. (2018). Russia — North Korea Relations: Three Decades, Four Stages. In: Zhebin, A.Z., Kim, E.U. & Zakharova, L.V. (Eds.). The DPRK and the ROK: the 70th Anniversary of Foundation. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 33—48. (In Russian).
  35. Toloraya, G.D. (2014). Russia and the Issues of the Korean Peninsula. MGIMO Review of International Relations, 4 (37), 82—91. (In Russian).
  36. Toloraya, G.D. (Eds.). (2015). Uneasy Neighborhood. Problems of the Korean Peninsula and Challenges to Russia. Moscow: MGIMO-Universitet publ. (In Russian).
  37. Toloraya, G.D. (Eds.). (2016). Asian Neighbors of Russia: Interaction in a Regional Environment. Moscow: Dashkov and Co publ. (In Russian).
  38. Torkunov, A.V., Denisov, V.I. & Li, V.F. (2008). Korean Peninsula: Metamorphoses of Post-War History. Moscow: OLMA Media Group publ. (In Russian).
  39. Trigubenko, M.E. & Nguyen, K.H. (2019). Russia Returns to North Korea: Trade and Economic Cooperation Yesterday and Today. Potential Development Opportunities. Economics and Management, 163 (5), 28—33. (In Russian).
  40. Vorontsov, A.V. (2002). Russia and the Korean Peninsula: Current Situation and Prospects. Far Eastern Affairs, 24 (3), 46—58. (In Russian).
  41. Weitz, R. (2015). Russian Policy toward North Korea: Steadfast and Changing. Korean Unification Studies, 24 (3), 1—30.
  42. Westermann, J. (2018). Putin and North Korea: Exploring Russian Interests around the Peninsula. Strategic Insights. Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
  43. Zabrovskaya, L.V. (2006). Economic Contacts between the DPRK and the Russian Far East: 1992—2005. International Journal of Korean Unification Studies, 15 (2), 95—111.
  44. Zabrovskaya, L.V. (2010). Nature and Main Directions of Russia’s Policy towards North Korea after the End of the Cold War [thesis]. Moscow. (In Russian).
  45. Zakharova, L. (2016). Economic Cooperation between Russia and North Korea: New Goals and New Approaches. Journal of Eurasian Studies, 7 (2), 151—161.
  46. Zhebin, A.Z. (2006). The Situation on the Korean Peninsula and Russia’s Interests. In: Zhebin, A.Z. (Eds.). Korean Peninsula and Challenges of Globalization: reports presented at the X Scientific Conference of Korean Studies in Russia and the CIS, Moscow, March 29—30, 2006. Moscow: IDV RAN publ. P. 28—35. (In Russian).
  47. Zhebin, A.Z. (2017). North Korea: Bombs, Missiles, Sanctions. Asia and Africa Today, 1, 2—9. (In Russian).

Copyright (c) 2020 Asmolov K.V., Zakharova L.V.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

This website uses cookies

You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.

About Cookies