The Second Summit Between Russia and North Korea May Threaten Global Stability

Photo Via North Korea’s Central News Agency

EMILY BEAMAN: When Orson Wells broadcast his “War of the Worlds” episode on the radio in 1938, people across the United States feared the world as they knew it was falling under attack. While that was proven to be a theatrical performance, increased relations between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have left the world wondering if their relationship will also be a ruse, or if it will become a true War of the Worlds.

In September, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian Far East. Following the summit, the rest of the world questions what their strengthened ties mean for global stability, as a combination of the continued violation of global peace norms, bilateral munitions relationship, and rising tensions in Northeast Asia indicate that a strengthened Moscow-Pyongyang relationship poses a threat to the Western World and democracy.

The boldest indication of a threat to global stability is disregarding peace norms, something that Russia and the DPRK have previously done. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was in direct violation of the UN Charter and accumulated from nearly a decade of unlawful aggression toward the former satellite state. The DPRK launched ballistic missiles just before the summit, violating UN resolutions that ban its missile program development.

Although no details about an official agreement from the summit have been released, the makeup of the delegation suggests an arms deal occurred. The U.S. and its partners warned both countries about repercussions for moving forward with such a deal, which would violate UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2270.

The summit indicates that Russia and the DPRK are ready to work together to violate global peace norms. As nations that share a desire for a multipolar world order, any action they take would be against the West and the democratic ideals they promote, and an allyship would make their actions catastrophic.

While both countries are likely motivated by an eagerness to destabilize the global power balance in their favor, their strengthened ties are also influenced by the symbiotic nature of their munitions relationship. Russia cannot produce the amount of ammunition it needs, and not many nations are offering to add to their supply, except the DPRK. If they provide military and munitions aid now, Russia will have to return the favor at some point.

This presents a two-fold issue: how increased ammunition flow to Russia could propel Ukraine’s allies to take more drastic action, escalating the conflict to another level, and the DPRK’s enhanced military capabilities. The DPRK will likely ask Russia to use its power in the UNSC to loosen sanctions regarding its nuclear sector. At the very least, Kim will ask Putin to help develop his weapons arsenals with high-tech systems. Either way, the DPRK’s goal will be to increase its military presence with Russia’s help.

The DPRK recently amended its constitution to expand its nuclear force, and although mostly for show, it amplifies Kim’s refusal to denuclearize. It also emphasizes the DPRK’s unstable leadership and aversion to global efforts to maintain a power balance. Any military morsel Russia repays the DPRK with will give Kim a greed for more that can only be acquired by bringing down the coalition of democratic Western countries.

As Russia and the DPRK grow more isolated from the West, their foreign policies shift closer together. If military technology exchange becomes common practice for the two, it might give the DPRK confidence to act harsher in the delicate Northeast Asia region. 

Russia has already called for more Eurasian unity with China and North Korea. An emboldened DPRK combined with the Ukraine conflict just might be enough to pull China out of limbo. As countries that share anti-American views and harbor elevated cyber capabilities, their combined ability to influence and potentially control the Euroatlantic political sphere is cause for concern. An alliance between three powerful Asian states that share a disregard for the Western way of doing things could spark a movement, or war, for decreased Western influence. 

While neither Russia nor the DPRK has taken these steps yet, it is important to note the potential ramifications of their heightened relations. Together, the two countries might have just enough confidence to turn against all peace norms and create a multipolar coalition to take down the current global systems.

History suggests that any state will jump at the opportunity to wield more power, but as countries that disagree with the status quo, any action by Putin or Kim would threaten the West and their democratic systems. If relations between the two countries continue to escalate, the United States may find itself in a true Orson Welles piece of a War of the Western and Eastern worlds.

Emily Beaman is a staff writer for On the Record from Wichita Falls, Texas. She is a first year Master of Professional Studies in Journalism student at the School of Continuing Studies. She graduated from Midwestern State University in 2023 with degrees in Political Science and Global Studies and a minor in journalism.