North Korea Is Joining China and Russia in Confronting the US
Sangsoo Lee
Introduction:
The US is currently facing challenges from its adversaries in Northeast Asia: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s military build-up on the Taiwan Strait and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK or North Korea) ongoing testing of advanced missiles.
As military tensions between the US and North Korea’s greatest allies, China and Russia, grow, Pyongyang has unequivocally supported Moscow and Beijing through sharpened criticism of US policy. North Korea, in a commentary on the Foreign Ministry’s website this week, expressed its clear position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the US-China confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region. North Korea defended Russia and blamed the US as the “root cause of the Ukrainian crisis” since the US disregarded “Russia’s reasonable and just demand…for security.”[1] Similarly, North Korea has also lambasted the US for its intention to refurbish its long-term plan to isolate China in the Asia-Pacific region.
Moreover, as strategic competition between the US and China has grown, both countries have sought to recruit ideological allies in their race against each other for global hegemony. Biden’s strategy for deterring China’s military rise has been to strengthen US alliances in Asia. However, the net effect of US efforts to strengthen ties with South Korea and Japan has been a convergence of interests and strengthened cooperation among China, Russia and North Korea. These developments all seem to suggest an emerging strategic triangle aimed at reducing US influence in the region and promoting a multipolar international system.
Related Publications
-
Kamala Harris on North Korea: Change or Continuation?
Despite many efforts and different strategies, both previous and current U.S. administrations have been unsuccessful in preventing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from developing its nuclear and missile […]
-
‘Strategic Talks’ – A Report by Stockholm Korea Center
In June, the ISDP Korea Center launched “Strategic Talks,” an online series focusing on developments on the Korean Peninsula and regional and international security. The inaugural session on June 4, […]
-
Russia-DPRK Partnership: Implications for the West
This issue brief examines the evolving relationship between the DPRK and Russia, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The partnership has deepened, with North Korea supporting Russia diplomatically […]
-
Deciphering North Korea’s Military Activities
In 2024, the growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula have highlighted the unpredictability of North Korea’s military intentions. This issue brief evaluates the strategic behaviors of North Korea, particularly under […]
-
Anticipating North Korea’s Next Nuclear Test
This issue brief provides a comprehensive analysis of the anticipated technical and strategic objectives behind North Korea’s potential seventh nuclear test, along with an examination of the probable timing for […]