North Korea benefits from China-Russia rivalry, says expert
Quick Look
- North Korea is the biggest beneficiary of the "implicit rivalry" between China and Russia for influence, according to Patricia Kim of the Brookings Institution.
- She stated that neither Beijing nor Moscow is pressuring Pyongyang to denuclearize, which is a significant strategic win for Kim Jong-un.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Relations between China and North Korea cooled during the Covid-19 pandemic when the border was sealed. Pyongyang subsequently strengthened its military ties with Russia. Now, North Korea appears to be benefiting from the competition between Beijing and Moscow.
Relations between China and North Korea cooled after the border was sealed during the Covid-19 pandemic and Pyongyang strengthened its military relationship with Russia.
But Patricia Kim, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, said Pyongyang was now benefiting from Beijing and Moscow’s “implicit rivalry” for influence and was the “biggest winner”.
“The fact that neither Beijing nor Moscow is pressuring Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table or to commit to denuclearisation is a big strategic win for Kim Jong-un,” she said.
Open Questions
- Will China and Russia increase pressure on North Korea?
- What specific benefits is North Korea receiving?
