North Korea does not trust Russia, but cooperates with it for a specific purpose

The DPRK does not trust Russia, but cooperates with it for a specific goal Angela Figin

Cooperation with Moscow makes North Korea bolder in its actions. At the same time, North Koreans view every country, including Russia, as one that cannot be trusted.

Therefore, all these agreements on strategic partnership are worthless, Alina Gritsenko, chief consultant at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, told Channel 24. After all, the DPRK will easily neglect its obligations if they do not meet the interests of North Korea.

Why does Kim Jong-un need to cooperate with Russia

As the chief consultant of the National Institute for Strategic Studies noted, North Korea's current task is survival. Kim Jong-un makes this clear enough. For example, this is evident in the fact that in recent years he has begun to frequently appear in public with his daughter Kim Ju Ye.

Many experts and specialists agree with the view that she will be his successor, so Kim Jin-un's main task is to preserve the dynasty and transfer power to his daughter. Russia is helping him with this, Gritsenko said.

However, North Koreans suffer from paranoia and view absolutely everyone around them as potential enemies of the state.

By the way, North Korea is increasing the supply of ammunition to Russia, in particular, artillery shells and ballistic missiles, in exchange for money and oil. According to preliminary estimates, Moscow could have already paid the DPRK 5.5 billion dollars.

How cooperation between the DPRK and Russia threatens China

Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is definitely not to China's liking, since Moscow's close interaction with Tehran has very significant consequences for the regions of East Asia.

First of all, the attention of the United States and its presence in the region is increasing, since Japan and South Korea demand it. In addition, large and powerful American contingents are stationed on the territory of these states. There are more than 50 thousand military personnel in Japan, not counting civilians. A similar number are in South Korea.

In general, China views South Korea as a kind of American foothold. The THAAD missile defense systems are located there, which Beijing perceives as a threat to its own national security. Therefore, the PRC needs North Korea as a buffer zone between the Chinese and South Korean borders, – noted the chief consultant of the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

North Korea is becoming bolder thanks to the Kremlin's support. In particular, after the start of a full-scale war, Pyongyang lifted the moratorium on missile tests. And now it regularly launches missiles towards the Sea of ​​Japan.

The DPRK is an existential threat to South Korea and Japan, which motivates them to more active cooperation primarily with the United States of America, because they are the main guarantor of security, which China also does not like very much.