The space race between North and South Korea continues. Since the launch of its first spy satellite, Pyongyang has managed to produce a second one. The first satellite is still in operation, but the launch of the second satellite, using a new type of rocket, was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the journey has begun, and will continue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang last month on a two-day visit. This was the first visit of the Russian President to North Korea in 24 years. Historically, the two sides saw ups and downs in their relations. However, since the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow and Pyongyang have seen an improvement in their bilateral relations. The recent visit of President Putin holds immense significance for global power politics due to the defense pact signed between the two countries.

The Western alliance is in disarray today over recent developments involving Russia, North Korea, and Vietnam. While the main focus of Western ire seems to be about a Vladimir Putin/Kim Jong-un dialogue and agreements, the deeper implications show further eroding of the Western order’s domination of international politics.

Characterized by Vladimir Putin’s official visits to various countries of the multipolar world, the year 2024 seems decisive in the expansion of the sphere of influence of the BRICS Alliance. While multipolarism is skyrocketing, the end of unbridled unipolarism is confirmed on the global political scene.

The Russian president’s visit to North Korea (or DPRK) was characterized by reiterating his country’s commitment to fight US-lead sanctions leveled on his host nation (here). It has become clear that UN sanctions on Pyongyang are driven by Washington’s narrow-minded goals, and Russia is responding appropriately. Russia’s veto of the extension of the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts to monitor compliance and sanctions violations in the DPRK in March 2024 reintroduces balance and prevents Washington’s abuse of the UN…

The first thing to note is the launch on April 2, when they tested the hypersonic glider again (the previous launch of such a missile was Jan. 14) by firing a long-range heavy solid-propellant missile with a hypersonic warhead on a shortened trajectory. Hypersonic missiles fly at speeds of at least Mach 5 – five times the speed of sound – and are designed to be maneuverable on unpredictable flight paths and fly at low altitudes. At Mach 5 and above, such a missile can cover the 195-kilometer distance between Pyongyang and Seoul…

On June 19, 2024, Russia and North Korea signed a landmark defence agreement during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to North Korea on the invitation of the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. The agreement was officially named as “Treaty on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” The contours of the agreement are yet to be published by both sides; however, it can be assessed that it could be like the Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Charter, which calls for mutual defence of the NATO members…

Pyongyang has successfully conducted a ground-based jet test of a solid-fueled engine for a new type of medium-range hypersonic missile.  Tensions on the Korean peninsula will likely continue to rise, and missile launches, drills, and visits by strategic bombers, aircraft carriers, and nuclear subs to Korea will continue.

We hear all kinds of horror stories about North Korea in the media. Many of the negative stories about the DPRK are myths and exaggerations that have nothing to do with reality. Over the course of a month or two, using reliable sources and personal impressions, the author had to refute a number of common elements of anti-North Korean propaganda based on a certain image of an “evil state”…

On March 28, 2024, Russia vetoed the extension of the mandate of the UN panel of experts to monitor the sanctions against the DPRK until April 30, 2025. This is important, because according to the established procedure, the decision to extend the term of office of the so-called 1718 Sanctions Committee must be made by April 30, otherwise it will be unable to continue with its activities…

Japan and North Korea do not currently have any diplomatic relations, but Tokyo periodically tries to gain political capital by attempting to establish a dialog with Pyongyang. The most successful such attempt occurred in 2002, when, in a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, DPRK leader Kim Jong Il admitted that 13 Japanese citizens had been abducted by North Korea’s intelligence services…

Contrary to the anticipation of anti-Pyongyang propaganda discussed in the previous part of this digest, there have been no direct provocations, including in the area of the disputed maritime border. Instead, the North conducted its own exercise and criticized the enemy’s. Already on the day the exercise began, March 4, a DPRK Ministry of Defense spokesman issued a press statement. “The frantic war drills by the ROK puppets and vassal forces led by the US make…