Russia and Korea: The Summit and After

Abstract

Abstract Russian foreign policy toward the two Koreas reflects Putin's new foreign policy goals and orientations. His new leadership, the DPRK-Russian rapprochement, and improved inter-Korean relations combined to provide favorable circumstances for Russia's influence and cooperation vis-a-vis the two Korean states. This research explores Putin's foreign policy toward the two Koreas, focusing on the Putin-Kim Jong-il summit and Putin's diplomatic initiatives toward Korea. It discusses Putin's new foreign policy goals and principles, examines the new DPRK-Russian friendship treaty and Putin's July 2000 Pyongyang visit, and delves into Putin's diplomatic initiatives vis-a-vis the Korean peninsula. Given the almost identical milieu in which Russian foreign policy has to operate, a complete and immediate departure from the past would be impossible. Putin's Russia shares many of the foreign policy goals and aspirations of his predecessor's. The main differences lie in style and priorities. Moscow wants to boost its prestige and influence on the Korean peninsula by promoting its role as an objective mediator and by leading a multilateral security mechanism in Northeast Asia. Russia's contribution to inter-Korean reconciliation may come through trilateral economic cooperation. As Russia and the two Koreas jointly pursue projects such as the “iron silk road” project, the Nakhodka industrial complex plan, and the Irkutsk gas pipleline project, the remnants of the Cold War on the peninsula are likely to melt away.