Current State And Future Prospects For Russian-North Korea Relations In The New Geopolitical Conditions

Abstract

North Korea openly expressed support to Russia in connection with the special operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022. Pyongyang confirmed its commitment to the Treaty obligations with Moscow when it voted against the anti-Russian resolution of the UN General Assembly adopted on March 2, 2022. Today, after a long period of reduced contact activity against the backdrop of tougher anti-North Korean sanctions since 2016, Russian-North Korean relations are noticeably strengthening, firstly, in the foreign policy sphere – both countries in the World space need support and solidarity in maintaining state sovereignty and the integrity of their territories , secondly, in the economic field - both sides are striving to restore trade and economic contacts by exiting the unjustified regime of sanctions pressure from Western countries. The article discusses the main areas, problems and prospects for interaction between Russia and North Korea. The main attention is paid to joint projects, such as the Khasan-Rajin logistics project, the construction of a road bridge across the Tumangan (Tumannaya) river, and the resumption of railway communication. The interest shown by the North Korean side in cooperation with the DNR and LNR through the mediation of Russia was noted. The author concludes that the mutual positive attitude towards maintaining the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the DPRK formed over the past decades serves as a solid basis for resuming interrupted directions and establishing new forms of interaction in the context of the ongoing international sanctions regime.