Russia-DPRK Relations Under The "Putin’s Diplomatic Strategy"

After Putin came to power, he has taken great effort to promote the "eastwards"geopolitical goals, in order to restore Russia’s political and economic dominance inthe Asia-Pacific region. For the important geo-strategic position of the Koreanpeninsula, Russia began to rebuild relations with the DPRK, and exert influence to theKorean Peninsula issue. Through five chapters, this paper combs and analyzes thedevelopment process, the status quo, development trend of Russia-DPRK relationsand “Putin`s diplomatic strategy”detailed. The main contents are as follows:1. Adjustments of “Putin3.0” version foreign policy. After the disintegration ofthe Soviet Union, Russia had held a pro-Western foreign policy. After Putin becamethe President, he re-established a set of pragmatic diplomacy focusing on both theEast and West as one of the initial steps to return to the East. According to the conceptof Putin, Russia should make economic cooperation as a foundation, then extend itspolitical influence to the East, finally build a "Eurasian Union". As an importantfactor which could affect this strategy, it is one of his strategic goals options tostrengthen the strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK.2. Korean Peninsula policy of "Putin`s diplomatic strategy". For peninsula issues,Putin insisted three main principles: first, maintain peace, prevent armed conflict;Second, be against both the "external intervention" and the "internal subversion",prevent infiltration of Western countries, keep the steady of the DPRK, ensure thestability of the regime of the DPRK; third, insist the "Denuclearization in Peninsula"principle, and advocate through political dialogues like the "six-party talks" to resolvethe problem. These principles are consistent with North Korea`s desire, which becamea solid foundation for the development of Russia-DPRK`s intimacy.3. The status quo of Russia-DPRK relations: Political, the two countries signedthe "Russia-DPRK good-neighborly and friendly cooperation treaty", and becomefriendly countries. Economically, Russia and the DPRK have highly complementaryindustries, the two countries are now interdependent geopolitical economies. In national security, Russia and the DPRK have extensive cooperation in the militaryfield, the two countries are building a strategic partnership.4. The development trend and factors of Russia-DPRK relations. The most likelydevelopment trends and main factors of Russian-DPRK relations are the following:first, under the pressure of the United States, Japan, South Korea, in order to preventunbalance strength change of big powers in Asia Pacific, the two countries willstrengthen political and economic ties. Second, with China, Russia maintains thestability in the North Korean Peninsula, and prevents regional conflicts. Finally,Russia will strengthen extensive cooperation between the two sides on the KoreanPeninsula, consolidate North-South cooperation relations, and achieve long-termsecurity stability.5. Conclusion. After Putin came to power, the Russian-DPRK relations are inthe best status since post-Soviet period. Looking to the future, the main factors aresanctions on DPRK form the United Nations, the changes of the comparison of thestrength of the region caused by China`s rising, Russia`s efforts of strengtheningrelations with South Korea. However, these issues could not affect the generaldirection of the trend of the two countries becoming closer. Therefore it can beexpected that the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries will be furtherdeveloped.Although there are some issues in bilateral relations, like “North Korea Debt”,“Denuclearization in Peninsula”, in a global view, these could not affect the maintrend of Russia-DPRK relations. In short, the Russia-DPRK relations are in goodmomentum of development, and both countries will hold the traditional friendship.The two countries might forge a closer strategic partnership.