North Korea gathers security leaders… Expression of a ‘strong stance’
Russia joins in criticizing Seoul… Countdown to ratification of North Korea-Russia treaty
If there is a conflict between North and South Korea, the ‘military aid’ clause may be triggered.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un summoned security chiefs to discuss a ‘hard-line’ response. Russia has begun the ratification process to make the North Korea-Russia treaty effective, adding weight to criticism aimed at Seoul. There are concerns that if an armed conflict breaks out between North and South Korea, it could serve as a starting point for Russia to intervene on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un and the scene of a drone infiltrating Pyongyang released by North Korea
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 15th, Chairman Kim convened a defense and security meeting the day before and discussed ways to respond to the Pyongyang drone infiltration incident. Military and security leaders gathered together, including Minister of National Defense No Gwang-cheol, Party Secretary for Military Affairs Cho Chun-ryong, Chief of Staff Lee Young-gil, Reconnaissance General Director Lee Chang-ho, and State Security Minister Lee Chang-dae. Chairman Kim expressed a ‘strong political and military stance’ at this event. Specific details and measures were not disclosed.
However, looking at the statement by Vice-Chairman Kim Yo-jong of the Workers’ Party, which was additionally announced on the night the council was held, the policy of placing responsibility on South Korea and the United States has become more solid. He said, “The main culprits in the drone incident are South Korean military scum.” He also poured out harsh words comparing Korea to a ‘mongrel dog’ and a ‘mutt’ and the United States to a ‘master’. In a statement on the 12th, the possibility that the person who flew the drone was a private organization was also left open, but the intention was to hold them responsible regardless.
While responses to drone infiltration were being discussed in Pyongyang, Moscow also made moves. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariya Zakharova said in a statement, “Seoul’s actions are a serious infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty and interference in internal affairs aimed at destroying the legitimate national and political system of an independent state and depriving it of its right to independent development.” He also added, “South Korean authorities must take North Korea’s warning very seriously.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un [이미지출처=연합뉴스]
Just 15 minutes after Spokesperson Zakharova’s statement, news was also released that Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a federal bill on ratification of the North Korea-Russia treaty to the House of Representatives. The process to bring into effect the ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement’ signed last June has begun. This treaty, which takes effect immediately upon ratification, provides for military assistance if either side is invaded by force and is in a ‘state of war’.
North Korea and Russia continue to be very close. Several circumstances have been identified in which North Korea’s conventional weapons were transferred to Russia. Once the treaty takes effect, the option of sending North Korean troops and labor to the battlefield in Russia is also open. The biggest concern is the possibility that Russia will intervene in the Korean Peninsula under the pretext of ‘military aid’ if an armed conflict breaks out between North and South Korea. North Korea has already defined inter-Korean relations as ‘at war.’
Cho Han-beom, a distinguished research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, predicted, “If South and North Korea clash, Russia will support North Korea in many aspects,” adding, “However, if they try to enter actual troops into the Korean Peninsula, then China will not sit still.” He continued, “The government should also be able to strongly demand Russia’s stance on North Korea’s numerous drone infiltrations,” and added, “It is time to put pressure on Russia by using support for Ukraine as leverage.”
Reporter Jang Hee-jun junh@asiae.co.kr
