Putin Makes First Visit to North Korea in 24 Years

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Facts

• Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in North Korea for a two-day state visit on Tuesday — his first trip to the country in 24 years.¹
• The visit comes following a personal invitation from North Korea's Kim Jong-un in September, the last time the pair met in Russia's far east. The leaders, according to reports at the time, likely discussed North Korean weapons in exchange for Russian satellite technology.²
• In North Korean media ahead of Tuesday's visit, Putin wrote an article that praised Russia's longstanding relationship with the country, stating that their relationship 'based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust, go back more than seven decades and are rich in glorious historical traditions.'³
• Putin also thanked North Korea for backing Russia's war in Ukraine as well as its efforts to defend its interests — despite what he described as 'US pressure, blackmail and military threats' — and vowed to help Pyongyang with trade and security systems that 'are not controlled by the West.'⁴
• According to Russian media, Putin and Kim will sign 'important documents' during the visit. Meanwhile, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said: 'We're not concerned about the trip [by Putin]. What we are concerned about is the deepening relationship between these two countries.'⁵
• After Pyongyang, Putin will travel to Vietnam on June 19–20, where he is expected to meet senior leaders, including the newly appointed Pres. Tô Lâm. The US has rebuked Vietnam's decision to host Putin, with the US embassy in Hanoi stating that 'no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression.'⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²POLITICO, ³TASS, ⁴BBC News, ⁵Guardian and ⁶The Diplomat.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Firstpost. Putin's trip to North Korea underscores the burgeoning relationship between Russia and a reclusive, nuclear-armed northeast Asian nation— a concern for Washington. It is also deeply disappointing that Vietnam is welcoming a proven war criminal and normalizing his war in Ukraine. Hanoi should eschew ties with Russia in favor of expanding its economic interests with the West.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Putin's visit to North Korea and Vietnam signifies the long-standing ties between these countries as they seek to deepen their economic and diplomatic cooperation with Russia. Moscow is committed to fostering greater bonds with its allies, and his visit will strengthen ties while promoting peace and prosperity.

Predictions