Opinion: North Korea's Deepening Ties with Russia Mark a Dangerous Shift in Global Alliances

North Korea’s recent pledge to strengthen ties with Russia, as underscored by Kim Jong Un’s meeting with Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu, signals a deepening alliance between two nations increasingly isolated on the global stage. This meeting, described by North Korean state media as “friendly and trustworthy,” may appear diplomatic, but it raises serious concerns about the geopolitical consequences of such a partnership. At a time when the global order is already fractured by conflicts like the war in Ukraine, the alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow suggests an unsettling shift in international relations, one with potentially dangerous ramifications for global security.

For years, North Korea has been seen as an unpredictable actor in the global arena—militarized, sanctioned, and increasingly isolated. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its subsequent fallout with Western powers has opened new avenues for Pyongyang to assert itself. The meeting between Kim and Shoigu is the latest in a series of steps aimed at reinforcing military ties between North Korea and Russia, with Shoigu’s visit coming shortly after a June 2024 defense pact between the two countries. The pair’s embrace at the conclusion of their meeting signals more than just friendly relations; it points to a convergence of strategic interests, one that could reshape the balance of power in the region.

Arms for an Ally: North Korea's Role in Russia’s War Effort

One of the most alarming aspects of this growing relationship is North Korea’s alleged role in supplying Russia with ammunition and other military support for the ongoing war in Ukraine. While both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these accusations, Western intelligence and reports from independent arms research groups suggest otherwise. For instance, the Conflict Armament Research report from this week revealed evidence that missiles produced in North Korea are being used in Ukraine. If true, this would not only violate international sanctions but also demonstrate Pyongyang’s willingness to profit from a conflict that has devastated Ukraine and destabilized Europe.

The timing of Kim’s latest meeting with Shoigu is particularly concerning. Just days earlier, North Korea conducted a series of ballistic missile tests—possibly a preview of weapons intended for export to Russia, as speculated by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. This suggests that North Korea’s military support for Russia is not limited to surplus stockpiles but extends to its advanced weapons programs, including missile technology. Such cooperation could escalate the conflict in Ukraine while emboldening Pyongyang to further develop its own arsenal, including its nuclear capabilities.

A Dangerous Alliance: The Broader Implications for Global Security

The renewed closeness between North Korea and Russia also raises troubling questions about the future of global security, particularly in Asia. Both nations are under heavy international sanctions—Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons program—and both have increasingly found themselves isolated from much of the international community. By aligning their interests, they are essentially creating a bloc of rogue states willing to defy international norms in pursuit of their strategic objectives.

For North Korea, this partnership offers not only financial gains but also diplomatic cover. As Kim continues to pursue nuclear and missile advancements, Russia’s support—whether direct or tacit—will only strengthen Pyongyang’s resolve. Just this week, North Korea released images of its uranium enrichment facility, with Kim emphasizing the need to increase its nuclear arsenal exponentially. In a world where Russia is a key partner, North Korea can operate with less fear of reprisal from the West, knowing that it has a powerful ally to shield it diplomatically.

Meanwhile, for Russia, North Korea represents a valuable, if controversial, partner in its efforts to weather the economic and military strains of the war in Ukraine. Isolated by Western sanctions and increasingly reliant on unconventional allies, Moscow views Pyongyang as a source of military supplies that can help sustain its war effort. The defense agreement signed in June between Putin and Kim only formalizes this cooperation, potentially paving the way for deeper military and economic ties that benefit both regimes while further alienating them from the international community.

The Role of the West: How Should Democracies Respond?

The deepening ties between North Korea and Russia should serve as a wake-up call for Western powers, particularly the United States, South Korea, and their European allies. These developments underscore the need for a more cohesive and coordinated response to the growing network of authoritarian states that are increasingly willing to flout international norms. Sanctions alone are clearly not enough to deter North Korea and Russia from collaborating; a broader strategy is needed.

This strategy should include a combination of diplomatic pressure, economic incentives for other nations to distance themselves from Pyongyang and Moscow, and, crucially, military readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. Both South Korea and Japan, key U.S. allies in the region, will need to strengthen their military capabilities to deter North Korean aggression, while the United States and NATO must continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces. Additionally, the United Nations should renew its focus on enforcing sanctions against North Korea, particularly as it continues to sell arms to Russia.

Diplomacy, however, cannot be overlooked. The West must engage with China, North Korea’s main economic lifeline, to pressure Pyongyang to de-escalate its military provocations. While Beijing is wary of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, it has been reluctant to cut ties with the regime, fearing instability on its border. A more concerted diplomatic effort involving China could help mitigate some of the risks posed by this emerging alliance between North Korea and Russia.

Conclusion: A New Cold War Looming?

As the world grapples with the fallout from the Ukraine war and North Korea’s expanding military ambitions, the burgeoning alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow should not be taken lightly. This partnership represents more than just a transactional relationship; it signals a new alignment of authoritarian regimes that are willing to challenge the post-World War II global order in unprecedented ways. For the West, this is a critical moment to reassess strategies and build a united front capable of containing the dangers posed by this new axis of power.

The world may be witnessing the beginning of a new Cold War—one defined not by ideological conflict, but by the alliances of convenience between regimes that defy international law and human rights. How the international community responds will determine whether this dangerous trajectory can be curbed or whether it will lead to a more fractured and perilous global landscape.