North Korea moves troops to Russia: Is it emerging from international isolation?
North Korean troops are aiding Russia in the war against Ukraine, with approximately ten thousand soldiers reported on the Russian front. What interests does North Korea have in this alliance? And what does this mean for tensions on the Korean Peninsula? Five questions for Diletta De Luca, UvA alumna and researcher at the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK).
What exactly is the relationship between North Korea and Russia?
“Russia and North Korea share a complex history dating back to the end of World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was divided after years of Japanese colonization, which began in 1910. South Korea came under the supervision of the United States (U.S.), while the Soviet Union (USSR) held more influence in the north. The U.S. and USSR had reached an agreement to each establish a sphere of influence, aimed at creating a balance of power between the two nations.”
“This division marked the beginning of the separation of South and North Korea. The Soviet Union played a crucial role in founding what we now know as North Korea. Even Kim Il-sung’s authority, the first leader of the Kim dynasty that remains in power to this day, was determined by the Soviets; they selected him and appointed him as supreme leader.”
“This was not without reason. Kim Il-sung was known as a loyal ally of the USSR. He fought in the Soviet army and took part in guerrilla fighting against the Japanese rule. Furthermore, the Soviet Union was instrumental in the development of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, training North Korean scientists and helping to build the main research reactor, which remains in use. Given North Korea’s poverty at the time, Kim Il-sung would not have been able to develop nuclear technology or establish itself as a counterforce to South Korea without this support.”
How does this alliance with Russia explain the tensions between North and South Korea?
“The Korean Peninsula has never been fully united. Even before the Japanese occupation in 1910, Korea was divided and saw frequent shifts in power among various dynasties over the centuries. After the Korean War (1950–1953), North Korea, influenced by the USSR, began to view South Korea as a U.S. puppet state. North Korea thus established the ultimate goal of unifying the peninsula under the ‘correct’ rule—the Kim regime. Russia has an interest in this as well. However, this goal shifted significantly at the beginning of this year, when North Korea formally recognized South Korea as an enemy, even amending its constitution to designate the South as an adversary.”
“In the past, the United States was seen as the primary enemy, but this new hostility toward South Korea itself has greatly heightened tensions. Although various attempts have been made by South Korean and U.S. governments to engage in dialogue with North Korea, all efforts have been unsuccessful. North Korea and Russia continue to present a united front against South Korea and the United States.”
What is North Korea’s interest in supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine?
“Naturally, North Korea’s support for Russia involves significant economic interests. North Korea, a severely impoverished country, has suffered from famine for decades and views this collaboration as a chance to boost its economy. Additionally, since the 1960s, it has pursued a nuclear program, and Russian expertise could greatly aid its further development. This move also helps North Korea partially break out of its international isolation.”
“Moreover, this alliance offers North Korea an opportunity to gain military experience, which could strengthen its conventional forces. While South Korea has a highly advanced military, North Korea has focused primarily on nuclear weapons as a deterrent over the past decades, leaving its forces relatively weak. By supporting Russia, North Korea sends a strong signal to the U.S. and South Korea, demonstrating its intent to strengthen its power on the Korean Peninsula.”
“North Korea’s visibility on the global stage is not new, though. In September 2023, North Korea supported Russia in the Ukraine war by sending weapons and ammunition. They are also continuously testing ballistic and long-range missiles. This proliferation is therefore nothing new for North Korea. They are also indirectly involved in the Middle East conflict. Some of the rockets used by Hamas on October 7, 2023, originated from North Korea. This indicates that North Korea’s current actions are part of a long-standing strategy to break its isolation and strengthen its international position.”
Despite this, North Korea’s actions on the world stage seem unexpected. Why is it so difficult to understand North Korea’s motivations?
“North Korea remains a very isolated country. Since COVID-19, North Korea has become even more secluded, and little information comes out of the country. It has no independent press, and most foreign embassies have been closed since the pandemic, with almost no information leaving the country. The only sources of information we have are testimonials from North Korean defectors and satellite data.”
“For example, through such means, we have discovered that North Korea greatly profits from human rights abuses in detention centers and prison camps. The North Korean regime denies their existence, but in recent years, we have proven not only that they exist but are expanding. Prisoners are employed, among other things, for the development of nuclear weapons. We have also found a strong link between the country’s nuclear facilities and detention centers. Furthermore, we know that scientists and engineers are forced to work on nuclear weapons without adequate pay or protection for their welfare.”
Can South Korea remain unresponsive?
“That is a very challenging question. In South Korea, there is ongoing debate about their neutral stance on the war in Eastern Europe. So far, they have provided humanitarian aid rather than weapons. I expect that this position may shift in the coming period.”
