The North Korean leader Kim Jong In sent greetings to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, which shows restraint, reflecting the change in dynamics in the relationship between Pyongyan and Beijing. According to Bloomberg, this may indicate that North Korea is increasingly focused on cooperation with Russia.
In his message, Kim wished the Chinese people "great success in building a modern socialist country" on the occasion of North Korea's birthday. However, the letter is marked by the absence of the former intricate language, characteristic of their correspondence. According to the NK Pro analytical service, 10 bilateral exchanges were recorded in 2023, while only three of them were three.
NK Pro Chad O'KERROLL notes that a description of relations between the DPRK and China has become "less passionate", which can indicate cooling of once warm personal relationships between leaders.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong others intensified his cooperation with Russia. The United States and their partners report an increase in weapons supply between Pyongyan and Moscow, in particular, the departure of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia to support Vladimir Putin in his war with Ukraine.
Not only military aspects have influenced the relations between the DPRK and Russia: Moscow provides economic assistance that supports North Korea in a difficult economic situation. Russia also sent Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigy to Pyongyan for negotiations with Kim, and later Kim sent Foreign Minister Chchwwe's dream of the XI to a rare foreign trip to Russia.
In June, Kim met Putin during his first visit to Pyongyang for over 20 years. At the meeting, both countries reached a mutual support agreement in the event of an attack. Kim also promised to "unconditionally support" Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.
In this regard, the issue of supply of North Korean weapons to Moscow has become a serious challenge for the defense of Ukraine, as a full -scale invasion has been going on for the third year.
Thus, the relationships between Pyongyan and Beijing continue to cool, while cooperation with Russia is becoming increasingly active.
