[Column] Bridging the gap between pragmatic policies of North, South Korea

North Korea operates not on ideology but on a pragmatic pursuit of its own national interests, a characteristic shared by the current South Korean administration. This alignment suggests a potential for a new chapter in inter-Korean relations if a common balance of interests can be identified. Pyongyang has officially stated that inter-Korean relations are now based on "cool-headed calculation and strict response for our national interests."

The alliance between North Korea and Russia is a prime example of this interest-based diplomacy. North Korea has gained access to advanced military technology, secured essential resources like crude oil and food, and found ways to circumvent international sanctions by aligning with Russia's involvement in the war in Ukraine. Historically, their relationship was never defined by strong ideological solidarity, and the current alliance is strictly maintained through the alignment of interests. However, this partnership faces structural limitations, including Russia's war-related financial constraints, logistical challenges due to distance, and the inherent restrictions of sanctions-evasion methods like ruble payments or bartering.

Despite these limitations, North Korea-China relations remain significant. For China, cooperation with North Korea is vital for revitalizing its underdeveloped northeastern region. North Korea, in turn, has gained purchasing power through cash revenue from the war in Ukraine and could provide China with crucial access to the East Sea via North Korea's Najin Port. Both countries have agreed to open all border trade crossings, a move that supports North Korea's ambitious regional development policies.

While China, unlike Russia, officially complies with sanctions on North Korea, differences exist in their approaches. Nevertheless, China may actively pursue legitimate sectors such as transportation, indicating a complex web of economic and strategic interests shaping the dynamics between the two Koreas, Russia, and China. The article suggests that a reinterpretation of the North Korea-China-Russia relationship, moving away from a Cold War bloc perspective towards one focused on North Korea's national interests, is necessary for understanding current geopolitical dynamics.

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When it came to inter-Korean relations, all that was left was “cool-headed calculation and strict response for our national interests.”