Russian President Putin visits North Korea for the first time in 24 years; Japanese, US and South Korean governments closely monitor meeting content

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea as a state guest on the 19th. This was Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years since July 2000. He arrived in North Korea before dawn and greeted Kim Jung Eun at the airport.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold talks afterwards. The two countries have been strengthening military and economic cooperation, and this time the two leaders agreed to a strategic partnership that includes cooperation in the fields of economy and security.
The two countries are expected to sign a treaty on the issue. Meanwhile, Japan, the United States and South Korea are closely watching the talks, and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yol said on the 16th, "We will wait and see what kind of agreement is reached."
"We should take necessary countermeasures depending on the outcome," he said. Russia and North Korea are deepening their ties, and Kim visited Russia in September last year and met with President Putin.
It was the first time the two leaders had met in about four and a half years since April 2019. At the meeting, Kim said of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, "Russia is taking just measures to protect its own rights and security.
"Putin is advancing the cause of justice," he said, expressing his support for the summit. At the time of the meeting, Putin had received an invitation to visit North Korea, and this visit was in response to that invitation.
Russia is suffering from a shortage of weapons due to the prolonged invasion of Ukraine, and is said to be receiving artillery shells and other equipment from North Korea.
It is believed that North Korea has been providing satellite technical assistance in return for the provision of weapons, and this mutual dependence is expected to deepen further with the recent Russia-North Korea summit.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency also reported that "the talks raised the possibility that the two countries could enter into a military cooperation agreement close to 'automatic military intervention in the event of an emergency.'"
"Automatic military intervention in the event of an emergency" was included in the clauses of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and the then Soviet Union in 1961.
Prior to his visit to North Korea, Putin contributed an article to the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the Workers' Party of North Korea, on the 18th. In the article, Putin wrote about North Korea:
"We are steadfast comrades and supporters," he said, emphasizing that "we will work together to elevate cooperation to a higher level."
On the other hand, with regard to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he said that the United States and other Western countries "continue to provide funds, weapons and information to (the Zelenskyy administration) and
The Rodong Sinmun also said in an editorial that it "warmly welcomes" Putin's visit to North Korea, but added, "The two countries have been swayed by the reckless maneuverings of the United States and its followers.
"We are strengthening our combat solidarity while dealing with these issues and focusing on strengthening our self-defense capabilities," he said, indicating his intention to further strengthen cooperation with Russia.
On the other hand, South Korea and the United States are concerned that Putin's visit to North Korea will lead to further ties between Russia and North Korea.
South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yol has warned Russia that the talks between the two countries are threatening to undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
On the 16th, Cho said, "I would like to ask whether the Russia-North Korea cooperation will lead to a long-term strategic cooperation relationship or become a temporary tactical cooperation when necessary."
"We need to wait and see whether this will continue," said State Department spokesman Miller at a press conference on the 17th. "The deepening of cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a key step in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthening the global non-proliferation regime."
This should be a concern for anyone interested in supporting the Ukrainian people and helping them defend their freedom against Russian aggression. This is not just a concern for the United States.
"We are aware that other countries have also expressed concerns about the situation," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on the 18th, "We are aware that the regional security environment surrounding our country, including the strengthening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea,
"We believe that the situation is becoming increasingly severe, and we are closely watching with concern the transfer of weapons and related materials between Russia and North Korea," he said.