What the North Korea-Russia Alliance Reveals

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with a mutual defense pact, potentially impacting global politics. The deal could lead to North Korea providing military support and labor to Russia, including possibly deploying troops to Ukraine. This alliance might influence Russia's UN Security Council voting, facilitate military equipment transfers, and circumvent Western sanctions. Reports suggest North Korea has already sent munitions to Russia, and the strengthened ties could escalate the conflict in Ukraine, while also affecting Russia's relations with China.

Takeaways

• 📜 On June 19th, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed an agreement with significant global implications, indicating a comprehensive strategic partnership and a mutual defense pact.
• 🔄 This agreement is considered stronger than a typical strategic partnership due to the inclusion of a mutual defense pact, which implies a commitment to provide immediate military assistance to each other in case of foreign invasion.
• 🏛 The agreement could potentially influence Russia's voting behavior at the United Nations, where as a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia has veto power over resolutions.
• 🚀 The partnership may facilitate the transfer of military equipment from China to North Korea, which could then indirectly supply Russian forces, circumventing Western sanctions.
• 💣 North Korea has reportedly been sending Russia millions of artillery shells and thousands of missiles since 2023, which could be part of a quid-pro-quo arrangement.
• 🛑 There are unconfirmed reports suggesting North Korea might send troops to assist in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, which, if true, would represent a significant escalation in the conflict.
• 🔮 The possibility of North Korean troop deployment is being taken seriously, with the Pentagon not outright dismissing the claims, though the source of the information is a South Korean news network citing an unnamed official.
• 🛠 If North Korean troops are sent, they may serve in roles such as construction, logistics, and fortification building, potentially freeing up Russian combat forces for the front lines.
• 💼 The alliance could lead to North Korea earning significant income from Russia for labor provided in reconstruction efforts, estimated at around $15 million per year for three engineering brigades.
• 🔄 Historical precedent exists for North Korea sending military abroad, such as advisors and pilots during the Vietnam War, indicating a potential willingness to participate in foreign conflicts.
• 🌐 The strengthened relationship between Russia and North Korea could impact global dynamics, including South Korea's consideration of arming Ukraine and the potential for a new Cold War scenario.

Q & A

What type of agreement did Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un sign on June 19th?

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with a mutual defense pact.

What is the significance of a mutual defense pact in the context of international relations?

A mutual defense pact signifies a very strong commitment between two countries to provide military assistance to each other in the event of an attack, indicating a deep alliance akin to 'till death do us part'.

What are the implications of Russia and North Korea's agreement for the United Nations?

Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, may adjust its voting behavior, potentially using its veto power to block resolutions that it disagrees with, especially those related to North Korea sanctions.

How might the agreement affect the flow of military equipment to North Korea?

The agreement could facilitate the transfer of military equipment from China to North Korea, which could then indirectly supply it to Russian forces, potentially circumventing Western sanctions.

What benefits might North Korea receive from this agreement according to the script?

North Korea is expected to receive increased shipments of food, fuel, and oil, as well as the unfreezing of $9 million in North Korean assets.

What is the historical precedent for North Korea sending military abroad?

In 1967, North Korea sent pilots to advise, train, and fly missions to aid in the Vietnam War. More recently, North Korean military advisers trained Angolan armed forces.

What is the potential role of North Korean troops in Ukraine according to the script?

North Korean troops might be sent to Ukraine as engineering units to perform tasks such as building fortifications, mine clearing, logistics support, or as laborers for rebuilding efforts in occupied regions.

How might the deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine impact the conflict?

The deployment could free up more Russian combat power for front-line fighting, as North Korean forces take over tasks like fortification building and reconstruction.

What is the historical context of the relationship between Russia and North Korea?

The Soviet Union covertly backed North Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s, and after the war, they signed a strong defense alliance pact, which was later weakened after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

How does the script suggest the current alliance might affect South Korea's stance on arming Ukraine?

The script suggests that South Korea might become more open to arming Ukraine due to the strengthened alliance between Russia and North Korea, potentially providing weapons that could escalate the conflict.

What does the script imply about the broader geopolitical implications of the Russia-North Korea alliance?

The script implies that the alliance could lead to a reshuffling of alliances, reigniting old rivalries and alliances, creating an unpredictable geopolitical landscape with high stakes.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Putin and Kim Jong-un's Strategic Partnership

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with a mutual defense pact, marking a significant step in international relations. The agreement obligates both countries to provide immediate military assistance if attacked by a foreign invasion. This move could potentially lead to North Korea deploying troops to Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. The partnership is one of the strongest types of treaties, second only to a mutual defense alliance like NATO. It also suggests Russia may adjust its United Nations Security Council voting behavior, given its veto power on resolutions.

05:01

🏗️ North Korean Labor and Military Aid to Russia

The agreement between Russia and North Korea is expected to facilitate the transfer of military equipment and labor. North Korea has reportedly been sending millions of artillery shells and thousands of missiles to Russia since 2023, circumventing Western sanctions. In return, North Korea receives increased shipments of food, fuel, and unfrozen assets. There are also indications that North Korea might send troops to Ukraine as early as July, potentially to serve in various support roles, which could free up Russian combat power for frontline engagements. This development has prompted the United States to reconsider its policy on allowing defense contractors in Ukraine.

10:02

🔄 Historical Precedents and Current Implications

The alliance between Russia and North Korea harkens back to the Korean War in the 1950s, when the Soviet Union covertly supported North Korea. Fast forward to the present, and the roles have reversed, with North Korea potentially aiding Russia. This historical connection is significant as it suggests a return to older forms of support and alliance. The current situation also raises concerns about the potential for North Korean military engineers, initially sent as civilians, to escalate into a larger military presence in Ukraine. The evolving relationship between these nations is reshaping geopolitical dynamics, with implications for sanctions, military support, and international relations.

15:03

🌐 Geopolitical Shifts and Future Prospects

The strengthened relationship between Russia and North Korea is causing a ripple effect in global politics. South Korea is reevaluating its stance on arming Ukraine, while China is cautious about forming a three-way alliance, aiming to maintain open options and avoid a new Cold War scenario. The situation underscores the complexity of modern international relations, where historical ties, sanctions, and strategic interests are reshaping alliances. The transparency brought by modern technology means that nations can no longer rely on plausible deniability in conflicts, adding a new layer of complexity to diplomatic negotiations and military engagements.

Keywords

💡Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

A comprehensive strategic partnership is a strong form of alliance between two countries, indicating a commitment to cooperate on various levels including political, economic, and security matters. In the video's context, it refers to the agreement signed by Russia and North Korea, symbolizing a deep bond that could lead to mutual defense support. The video explains that this type of partnership is stronger than a regular strategic partnership due to the inclusion of a mutual defense pact.

💡Mutual Defense Pact

A mutual defense pact is an agreement between two or more states to provide military support to each other in the event of an attack. The script mentions that the agreement between Russia and North Korea includes such a pact, indicating a high level of commitment where both countries are obliged to provide immediate military assistance to each other without delay.

💡Veto Power

Veto power is the authority of a member of a council or committee to nullify decisions made by the majority. In the script, it is mentioned that Russia, as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, wields significant power through its veto power, which can single-handedly prevent the adoption of resolutions, as exemplified by Russia's veto of a resolution to monitor North Korean sanctions compliance.

💡Sanctions

Sanctions are penalties imposed on a country, entity, or individual to force compliance with international law or to change behavior. The video discusses how existing UN sanctions against North Korea are being violated by weapons transfers and how the new partnership with Russia might facilitate the circumvention of Western sanctions through indirect military equipment transfers.

💡UN Security Council

The UN Security Council is a body of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with the power to establish international sanctions and authorize military action. The script highlights the importance of Russia's role as a permanent member of the Security Council and how its voting behavior could be influenced by the new agreement with North Korea.

💡North Korean Assets

In the context of the video, 'North Korean assets' refers to financial resources owned by North Korea that have been frozen due to sanctions. The script mentions that as part of the new agreement, $9 million of North Korean assets have been unfrozen, which could provide much-needed financial relief to the country.

💡Military Assistance

Military assistance is the act of providing support, typically in the form of troops, equipment, or training, to another country's military. The video explains that the agreement between Russia and North Korea requires both countries to provide military assistance immediately if either is attacked, which could potentially involve North Korea sending troops or equipment to support Russia.

💡DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

DPRK is the official name for North Korea, and it is often used in diplomatic and international contexts. The script refers to North Korea as the DPRK when discussing the prospects of cooperation between North Korea and Russia, emphasizing the potential for North Korean builders to work in difficult conditions in Russia.

💡Rebuilding Efforts

Rebuilding efforts refer to the actions taken to repair and restore infrastructure and cities after they have been damaged or destroyed, often due to conflict. The video discusses how North Korean engineers might be involved in rebuilding efforts in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia, which could include constructing defensive fortifications or aiding in logistics and reconstruction.

💡Proxy War

A proxy war is a conflict in which two states support opposing sides without direct military aggression between them. The script suggests that the alliance between Russia and North Korea could lead to a situation similar to a proxy war, with North Korea covertly providing aid to Russia, much like the Soviet Union's support for North Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s.

💡No-Limits Friendship

The term 'no-limits friendship' is used to describe a relationship between two countries that is exceptionally close and without restrictions. The video mentions this term in relation to the relationship between Russia and China, suggesting that while Russia seeks to strengthen ties with North Korea, China prefers to maintain a more flexible stance in its international relations.

Highlights

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with a mutual defense pact.

The agreement could lead to North Korea deploying troops to Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

Putin's visit to North Korea marked the first in 24 years, symbolizing a deepening diplomatic relationship.

The comprehensive strategic partnership is a strong commitment between countries, including military assistance obligations.

Russia's position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council grants it significant power, including veto capabilities.

Russia's recent veto against a UN resolution monitoring North Korean sanctions compliance indicates a shift in policy.

The partnership may facilitate the transfer of military equipment from China to North Korea, bypassing Western sanctions.

North Korea has reportedly been sending Russia artillery shells and missiles since 2023.

North Korea is receiving increased food, fuel, and oil shipments, along with the unfreezing of $9 million in assets as part of the agreement.

Reports suggest North Korea might send or plan to send troops to Ukraine as early as July.

The South Korean cable TV news network CHOSEN reported on North Korea's potential troop deployment based on unnamed sources.

North Korean engineering units could free up Russian combat power for front-line fighting.

The U.S. government is reconsidering allowing defense contractors to help rebuild tanks in Ukraine.

North Korea could earn an estimated $15 million annually by deploying engineering brigades to occupied Ukraine.

Historical precedent exists for North Korea sending military abroad, such as during the Vietnam War and in Angola.

North Korea and Russia have not made any public announcements of troop movements, but there is evidence of unofficial worker deployments.

The alliance between Russia and North Korea is seen as a resurrection of an old pledge dating back to the Korean War in the 1950s.

South Korea is becoming more open to the idea of arming Ukraine, potentially providing artillery shells.

The stronger alliance could impact Russia's relations with China, as Beijing aims to avoid a new Cold War scenario.

Transcripts

on June 19th Russian President Vladimir

Putin and North Korean leader Kim

Jong-un signed an agreement that has

major ramifications for the world what

obligations does each country have under

it could this mean North Korea will

start deploying troops to Russian

occupied parts of Ukraine and can I

comprehend even the basics of

international relations let's find out

as part of a wider diplomatic tour Putin

recently visited North Korea for the

first time in 24 years it's like that

one friend that shows up when they

really need help I mean I wouldn't know

I don't have friends they don't let me

leave this room the two sign what's

called a comprehensive strategic

partnership with a side of mutual

defense pack I often hear these

diplomatic terms thrown around without

any real context of what it means if

you're on the Derpy side like me here's

an easy breakdown of understanding

treaties from weakest to strongest the

weakest is called a friendship treaty

which is basically a symbolic

establishment of goodwi it's the

equivalent of making small talk about

the weather then you've got your trade

agreements like NAFTA for reducing trade

barriers very cold and transactional

like meeting a lady of the night after

the that your strategic Partnerships

here's where the countryes start to

cooperate on political economic and even

sometimes security nonsense after that

is the comprehensive strategic

partnership which is very strong

obligations to one another but the fact

that this one also had a mutual defense

pack means that it's till death do you

part the only treaty stronger would be

like a mutual defense Alliance like NATO

or the Russian Le cioo what are the

specific terms of the agreement it

states that both countries are required

to provide military assistance to one

another if either is attacked by a

foreign Invasion quote without delay by

all means at its disposal end quote in

that case they have to send military aid

and everything they can spare right away

similar to how the war in Ukraine was

the impetus that made Sweden and Finland

join the NATO alliance it's had the

effect of playing Matchmaker with North

Korea and Russia it looks like

everyone's getting picked for the

Kickball team except me it's High School

All Over Again part of the reason this

new agreement has made ramifications for

the world is because Russia will likely

now adjust how they vote at the United

Nations since Russia is one of only five

permanent members of the security

Council they wield massive power this is

because each member of the security

Council has veto power on any resolution

this means if Russia vetos against a

resolution it can't be adopted

regardless of the level of international

support we already started to see this

recently in March 2024 Russia vetoed a

un Security Council resolution

that would have mandated that a panel of

experts would have to monitor North

Korean sanctions compliance any weapons

transfers to North Korea or from them

violate 10 different un sanction

resolutions that Russia supported in the

past however they're changing all that

now the partnership would also make it

easier for the Chinese government to

transfer military equipment to North

Korea who could then indirectly transfer

it to Russian forces this would be a way

to get around Western sanctions

according to R USI North Korea has

already been sending Russia 2 to 3

million artillery shells and thousands

of missiles since 2023 these were sent

in 10,000 containers across Railways and

ships to Russia that's what's at the

Crux of this you scratch my back and

I'll scratch your nuts agreement Russia

gets labor and Munitions and North Korea

gets money and political favors in

return We Now know from news reports

what North Korea is getting in return

this includes shipments of increased

amounts of food and Fuel and oil they've

also unfrozen $9 million in North Korean

Assets Now I should tell you that Kim

jong-un's influential sister has denied

sending weapons to Russia but there's a

lot of photographic and satellite

evidence to support the claims un

monitors confirmed Ukraine's claims that

they'd shot down 40 North Korean made

ballistic missiles Ukraine is becoming

an international melting pot because

reports indicate North Korea might now

be sending or planning to send troops to

Ukraine as early as July this is another

possible result of the alliance between

the two but what's the source of this

nugget of information it came from

chosen which is a privately owned South

Korean cable TV News Network who got the

information from an unnamed South Korean

government official the reason this

rumor got picked up by some major news

outlets was because the Pentagon

actually responded to it and didn't

outright dismiss it yeah I mean that's

certainly something to uh to keep an eye

on if I were North Korean military

personnel management I would be

questioning my choices on uh sending my

forces to be cannon fodder uh and an

illegal war against Ukraine so you're

saying there's a nonzero chance sorry

frankly this is all a bit surreal sounds

like you're saying if France also sends

troops into Ukraine there's a chance

we'll see Korean and French troops fight

this is truly a cursed timeline that

we're living in the South Korean

officials said it would be a deployment

of several engineering units from North

Korea North Korea's military currently

operates 10 engineering brigades they

would be headed to the Russian held

territory in the dunet region allegedly

there they would serve a few different

functions potentially building defensive

fortifications mine clearing mine laying

helping with Logistics runs or as

laborers to rebuild destroyed towns in

the occupied regions the reason this

would add to the challenge for Ukraine

from a tactical point of view is because

it could free up more Russian combat

power to be able to fight on the front

lines who would have otherwise has been

tied up on building fortifications this

factor is part of the reason why the

United States government is now

rethinking allowing several hundred

contractors to be allowed to go to

Ukraine in 2024 this policy shift would

allow defense contractors to help

rebuild tanks and free up hands for

Ukraine to fight the war in Ukraine

appears to be driving Russia who's in

need of Munitions towards closer

relations with pongyang who is in need

of more money and cold Hard Cash

according to the South Korean official

North Korea will likely send these

forces to work as construction workers

where they would earn money from Russia

to send back to the North Korean

government this is an assumption likely

made based in part around the history of

China and North Korea Labor Relations

North Korea could earn an estimated $15

million each year from Russia if they

deployed three engineering brigades to

occupi Ukraine there is some historical

precedent for North Korea sending its

military abroad to fight in 1967 North

Korea sent a number of Pilots to advise

train and fly missions to Aid in the

Vietnam War more recently angolan armed

forces were trained by North Korean

military advisers these were very

limited deployments though the chance of

a major deployment of 10 of thousands

would be needed to make a major

difference in Ukraine although that

can't totally be ruled out it's unlikely

due to language barriers and a lack of

joint training observed between the two

officially North Korea and Russia

haven't made any public announcements of

any troop movements yet but part of the

reason that the claims are still being

taken seriously and as more than just

rumor is because there is evidence that

North Korea has sent workers

unofficially already in February 2024

Korean media reported 300 North Korean

workers were sent to vlat V stock in

Russia one reason this might have been

kept under the radar is because

accepting those workers violates un

sanctions that Russia agreed to

Alexander matora the Russian ambassador

to pongyang said quote there there are

prospects of cooperation between the

dprk and the dumb bouse republics and

they are quite extensive firstly Korean

Builders who are highly qualified

hardworking and ready to work in the

most difficult conditions will be very

serious so the claim from the South

Korean official is that North Korea

would send military engineers disguise

the civilians to work inside occupied

sections in Ukraine further evidence of

this being in the works comes from a

2022 quote from the Russian Deputy Prime

Minister who said they were quote

working on political arrangements to

employ North Korean workers in Russia

possibly 20 to 50,000 to develop the

infrastructure in the Russian Far East

there are currently efforts underway to

rebuild sections of Ukraine that Russia

has flattened the financial times did a

profile on Russia's attempt to rebuild

the occupied Ukrainian city of marapole

that we often don't hear about the city

was annihilated during The Invasion with

90% of the buildings damage are

destroyed and much of the population

fleeing the Russian Federation is now

attemp to rebuild marle into a

functioning City once again as of a year

ago an estimated 50,000 Russians had

already relocated to Apartments within

the depopulated parts of marapole Moscow

is paying billions of rubles to their

construction companies to reconstruct

the occupied regions it appears like the

North Korean Engineers might be assigned

to this kind of reconstruction work but

the reason this has alarmed some people

is the possibility of this Mission

laying the groundwork for morphing and

turning into something else what starts

as a deployment of Engineers could

escalate into infantry in the future

it's the same reason there concerns

about France sending soldiers to the

rear in Ukraine while doesn't mean World

War III it's not a step towards peace

either I think this new alliance is kind

of a resurrection of an old pledge

between the two that dates back to at

least the Korean war in the 1950s the

Soviet Union covertly backed North Korea

during the war according to recent

accounts we know that 70,000 Soviet air

defense troops fought alongside North

Korea the Soviet Union played a secret

unofficial role in The Conflict by

providing over 100 Pilots 63 combat

aircraft including Mig 15 fighter jets

this support was concealed at the time

so the Soviets could maintain plausible

deniability this was done in part to

avoid a nuclear confrontation with the

United States during the Cold War but

don't take my word for it in July 2023

Putin sent a congratulatory message to

King Jong-Un in North Korea to

commemorate the 70th anniversary of the

Korean War Armistice and in that letter

he for the first time officially

acknowledged that the Soviet Union

secretly participated in the Korean War

Putin wrote in the letter quote Soviet

soldiers including pilots who carried

out tens of thousands of combat flights

fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Korean

Patriots and made a great contribution

to the enemy's Annihilation end quote

it'd be similar to the 1950s Korean War

but in Reverse this time North Korea

would be covertly sending Aid to the

Russian Federation ation instead of the

Soviet Union sending Aid to North Korea

following the Korean war in 1961 they

signed a strong defense Alliance Packa

but the close Security deal between the

two was made null and void after the

collapse of the Soviet Union then we saw

it was replaced in the year 2000 but

with a much weaker deal that didn't have

any security guarantees truth be told

relations between Russia and North Korea

were not warm and fuzzy for a while

after that in July 2006 Moscow supported

United Nations security Council

resolution 1695 which condemned the 2006

North Korean missile test following 2006

Russia viewed North Korean missile tests

as a threat to their security on June

15th 2009 China and Russia both

supported un sanctions against North

Korea it wasn't until Russia's invasion

of Ukraine in 2022 that relations

started to change when North Korea

became one of three countries including

Syria and Iran

that recognized the Breakaway regions of

danet and luhansk people's republics in

the eastern Ukraine an interesting way

that this might have the tables turn is

South Korea is now becoming more open to

the idea of arming Ukraine although

300,000 South Korean artillery shells

were allegedly already provided to

Ukraine but they've stopped short of

sending tanks or fighter jets but this

change has prompted South Korea to

suggest that they could be open to

sending the weapons South Korea National

Security adviser Chang Jin said Russia

would be crossing a red line if they

sent High Precision weapon technology to

North Korea Putin responded by saying

quote South Korea has nothing to worry

about but he also warned them against

supplying weapons to keev saying it

would be quote a very big mistake as you

said Russia try uh in desperation to

develop and to strengthen relations with

countries that can provide it with what

it needs to continue the war of

aggression that has started against

Ukraine Russian foreign minister Sergey

lvov claimed that only those who were

planning aggression against either of

these countries would object to this

treaty my favorite part of international

relations Is these countries having

conversations through the media like

this I get why it has to be done this

way but from my dummy perspective seems

like a bizarre High School way to

communicate but I'll have you know in

high school I was voted most likely to

start an anime club which I now that I

say that out loud I realized that was

not a compliment but what does this

stronger alliance mean for Russia's

relations with China let's hear from

someone who is actually an expert in the

field son Yun director of China program

at the Washington based sson Center

Think Tank said Beijing does not want to

form a three-way alliance with North

Korea and Russia because it needs to

keep its options open such a coalition

would mean a new Cold War something

Beijing says it's determined to avoid

aligning itself with panyang and Moscow

would be contrary to China's goals of

maintaining relationships with Europe

and improving ties with Japan and South

Korea Sun said dead end quote now guess

what kind of treaty these two have is it

a treaty of friendship a strategic

partnership according to them it's a no

limits friendship it's like raw dogging

without a safe word it looks like Russia

is trying to establish a group of

friendly states that have had historical

ties to the Soviet Union so to summarize

my totally non-credible diplomatic

understanding of the situation Russia

and North Korea strengthened their

relationship partly because they're both

under strict sanctions then South Korea

got hurt and said that they would maybe

start hanging out with with Ukraine if

Russia helped North Korea just because

we're getting this info through the grap

Vine doesn't mean it's not credible in

the Army we headed a private News

Network which was all the lower enlisted

guys spreading Barracks rumors and 60%

of the time they were true every time in

the geopolitical chess game alliances

are being reshuffled old rivalries

reignited old allies reignited as well

making for truly unpredictable landscape

right now the main difference today is

that the countries can no longer hide

behind plausible deniability and

covertly armed proxy war like they could

during the Cold War this is because

advances and satellite images make it so

anyone you or me we could buy a

satellite image live and confirm what's

happening and who's sending troops where

just like in high school everyone's

forming their clicks and the stakes have

never been higher and my hope is that

nations are able to find a diplomatic

solution to these problems speaking of

which you know Germany's rebuilding

their army transforming it in ways

unseen since the Cold War you can find

out more if you're interested by

clicking the link to this video or

typing in task and purpose Germany

rearmament hit the like And subscribe

button if you found this report valuable

I'm your average infan Chris Cappy

signing off this net time

now got