Putin wants Russia to increase its influence on the Korean Peninsula?

The summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is about to take place. Photo: Getty

Moscow and Pyongyang announced that their leaders will hold their first-ever summit, although the two sides have not yet set a time and location.

Media speculate that this summit will take place in the city of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East on April 25.

The Russia-North Korea summit will take place as Moscow seeks to reassert diplomatic leverage over the Korean Peninsula and expand economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region, while also being wary of China's push for regional dominance, analysts say.

"Amid the turmoil on the Korean Peninsula over the past year, Russia's presence has been muted, which has worried Russian officials that its role may be overlooked in issues related to the Korean Peninsula," said Chang Duck-joon, a professor of Russian diplomacy at Kookmin University. "There is also criticism within Russia itself that when it comes to North Korean issues, Moscow is often too dependent on Beijing... The upcoming summit between President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seems to reflect the need to keep China in check to some extent."

In addition, in the context of persistent tensions between Russia and the United States since Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Russia's strengthening of relations with North Korea could create a counterweight to the United States.

"After the Cold War, Russia was preoccupied with its own economic challenges and thus did not pay attention to North Korea, but now as an emerging power, Russia wants to establish a protective fence around itself to counter the growing rivalry with the United States," said Chun In-young, an emeritus professor at Seoul National University.

Mr. Kim Jong-un may take a train to Vladivostok station. Photo: Yonhap

However, according to analysts, Russia's involvement with North Korea is likely to further stall nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, because Moscow can raise its voice in the negotiations to increase its interests in a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

Experts say the first Russia-North Korea summit is unlikely to yield significant results due to sanctions, but the two sides could issue a political statement on continuing to develop partnership and cooperation for peace on the Korean Peninsula.