The Japanese government has announced that it is closely monitoring potential weapons transactions between Russia and North Korea.
In a press conference on June 18, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa expressed concerns regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to North Korea for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 18-19. Hayashi stated, “We are watching with concern, including the transfer of weapons and related materials between Russia and North Korea.”
Hayashi continued, “The regional security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe due to the strengthening of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia,” and pledged to “collaborate closely with the international community, including the United States and South Korea, for the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru also mentioned in a press conference on the same day that “there are concerns that Russia may provide technical and military knowledge as North Korea continues to strengthen its nuclear and missile capabilities.”
During this visit, the Yomiuri Shimbun predicted that Putin would establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with Kim, stating that “cooperation between the two countries could deepen not only in military terms but also in economic aspects.”
The Asahi Shimbun reported that Russia’s close ties with North Korea are due to Russia’s international isolation as it continues its military invasion of Ukraine, stating that “Russia is strengthening its relationship with North Korea, focusing on the military field, including procuring weapons from North Korea.”
The Nikkei also concluded that “the mutual dependence between North Korea and Russia is deepening” to break their diplomatic isolation.
It also analyzed that “the international political situation is significantly different compared to 24 years ago when Putin visited North Korea,” and that “it seems as if Putin intends to threaten the West by visiting North Korea, especially as the G7 recently agreed to support Ukraine using Russia’s frozen assets.”
The Nikkei added, “North Korea is likely to reorganize its treaty to be closer to an alliance with Russia and build a solid relationship before the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.”
