Kim Jong-un, the leader Trump seeks out, Putin relies on and Xi doesn’t want to lose
North Korea’s ties with Russia, renewed engagement with China and interest from the White House are giving the leader greater room to maneuver
Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea, has managed to gain the attention of the United States, Russia, and China. Despite leading a nuclear-armed regime under heavy international sanctions, Kim has found a formula for exerting influence over these powers by offering each of them something different. Senior researcher Rachel Minyoung Lee explains that Kim has deliberately sought to increase North Korea's strategic value to major powers rather than return to the previous state of dependence and isolation.
North Korea's strategic value emerged when Russia invaded Ukraine, and Kim has proven adept at turning others' needs into strategic leverage. Last week, just before U.S. and South Korean forces began their main summer military exercises, President Trump ordered a substantial reduction of U.S. participation in the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. This concession was secured before negotiations even began, as North Korea sees the exercises as rehearsals for an invasion.
Kim is attempting to reshape the world order and present himself as a key player, on equal footing with his partners. The war in Ukraine has led North Korea to become a crucial supplier for Russia's war efforts, shipping between eight million and 11 million artillery shells and rockets since mid-2023. North Korea also provides manpower, with around 15,000 North Korean troops fighting in Russia's Kursk region.
In return, North Korea has gained revenue, oil, economic cooperation, combat experience for its troops, and possibly military technology transfers.
Written by urgent.news from El Pais English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
