North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladamir Putin on September 15 to discuss arms deals. Kim trained all the way to a special space facility to deepen ties. Kim publicly stated that he is in full support of the Russian president in waging his war against Ukraine. The meeting details were not specified but we have good intelligence saying it was to give Russia weapons in exchange for military technology to the North Koreans.
This report has likely sent alarms screaming around the world. The United States and its allies are frustrated that North Korea is going to give Russia its full support. China on the other hand likely has mixed emotions. North Korea working with Russia shifts the balance of power away from the U.S. and its allies. But the Chinese do likely fear that if the North Koreans get their hands on dangerous technologies, it can destabilize the region.
Image Credits: Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via AFP
Nonetheless, this development creates a rift in geopolitics. North Korea supposedly sits on a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition which can allow Russia to prolong this war and potentially give the Russians the upper hand. The West is actively condemning the North Koreans, but little can be done to stop them.
The war is way past the two-year mark, longer than any analyst had imagined. North Korea is now putting a crutch in the mix. Deeping its ties with the Russians will allow its economy to expand as well as its military. The Russians will be able to re-strategize with more munitions and weapons. The world should be ready for a crazy future in geopolitics.
How should the West respond to this news? First is going to obviously be sanctions against North Korea, even though the West has sanctioned about everything they can. The real game is going to be actively gathering intelligence on the movements of these weapons, and lending the information to the Ukrainians to destroy them. Other than that, there is not much more the West can do. The West has applied pressure in all areas and condemned enough nations for anyone’s support of the Russians in this war. Now, it seems to just be a waiting game.
Author: Joshua Cheatham
