North Korea-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting Putin's Approach to Visit North Korea Within the Year, International Sanctions to Be Neutralized
The North Korea-Russia foreign ministers' meeting approaches President Putin's 'visit to North Korea within the year' and shows the neutralization of the international multilateral sanctions system.
Aryom Lukin, a professor at Russia's Far Eastern Federal University, said, "Considering that relations between Russia and North Korea are quite multifaceted, all kinds of issues could be discussed between Minister Lavrov and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui." “If he meets the president, it could be another sign that Putin will visit Pyongyang this year,” he told Reuters on the 15th.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hee is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Russia on the 13th as economic, political, and military ties between the two countries deepen.
Reuters reported on the 15th that Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said of Foreign Minister Choi's visit that "it will include negotiations."
Spokesperson Zakharova appeared on state TV channel Rossiya-1 on the 14th and said, “Westerners are constantly spreading the story that Russia has no right to communicate with North Korea,” adding, “We continually declare respect for international law.” “We have the right to do whatever we deem necessary,” he said, adding that he would expand diplomatic ties with North Korea, Reuters reported.
Reuters said, “Analysts see greater value in Moscow’s relationship with North Korea as Russia’s international isolation grows due to the war in Ukraine,” adding, “From North Korea’s perspective, relations with Russia are not always as warm as they were during the Soviet era, but Moscow needs a friend.” “I am benefiting from this,” he said.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Foreign Minister Choi and the North Korean delegation left Pyongyang and headed to Russia.
Foreign Minister Choi's three-day visit to Moscow came shortly after the United States and its allies accused Russia of launching North Korean ballistic missiles and other weapons against targets in Ukraine.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea test-fired a new solid-fuel hypersonic missile with a medium range the previous day, on Sunday, the 14th.
Far East analysis website 'China-NK' said, "Russia is showing off its sanctions against North Korea more openly," said Anthony Rina, a Korean-Russian analyst, "because the Kremlin does not perceive North Korea as a direct threat to Russia." “We are increasingly losing interest in multilateral efforts to curb North Korea’s provocations,” he said.
Regarding North Korea's ballistic missile launches, Reuters reported, "North Korea has in recent weeks declared South Korea its 'main enemy', said it will never reunite with South Korea, and has declared a nuclear strike capability against the United States and its allies in the Pacific. “We have stepped up pressure on Korea, vowing to strengthen it,” he said.
Reuters pointed out that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang last July and touring a weapons exhibition, including ballistic missiles banned by North Korea, was a sign of deepening relations between the two countries.
Taiwan's new president-elect, Lai Chengde, has expressed his desire to restart dialogue with China, which has refused to engage with Taiwan's leaders in recent years, Reuters has learned.
“We are ready and willing to participate to show more for the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” President-elect Lai said, adding, “Peace is priceless and there are no winners in war,” Reuters reported. reported.
The Chinese Embassy in Japan announced on the 15th that it had made a "severe request" for Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa's reference to Taiwan as an "important partner" regarding Taiwan's election results, calling it "interference in China's internal affairs."
Former U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley met with Taiwanese President Tsai on the 15th and said, "Taiwan's democracy has set a shining example to the world. We look forward to the continuity of Taiwan-U.S. relations under the new administration and maintain cross-Strait peace and stability." “I look forward to joint efforts to achieve this,” he said.