Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Beijing Thursday, announcing a new era in bilateral relations. Adopting a joint statement, they agreed to deepen their strategic partnership on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

In the statement, the two leaders expressed strong opposition to “the acts of military intimidation by the United States and its allies that escalate confrontation with North Korea, which may lead to armed incidents and a rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula.” They urged the U.S. to discontinue sanctions and military provocations against North Korea, explicitly criticizing the joint military exercises conducted by South Korea and the U.S.

North Korea, seemingly encouraged by the support from China and Russia, fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea on Friday. This follows its previous test of an ultrasonic solid-fuel missile this year and 19 ballistic missiles tests last year alone. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his sister Kim Yo-jon
g have also ramped up hostile rhetoric against the South, using inflammatory language sprinkled liberally with words such as “war,” “enemy” and “demolition.”

Given these developments, it is inappropriate for both China and Russia to support the North while condemning the ROK-U.S. joint military drills. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the two nations are expected to support U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang, yet they have chosen to oppose them.

This shift is evident in the international security landscape surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Putin has been seeking to cement ties with China to counteract sanctions from the U.S. and other Western countries since its invasion of Ukraine. China, for its part, has been desperate to solicit Russia’s support amid an intensifying hegemonic struggle against the U.S., particularly in disputes over semiconductors and tariffs.

North Korea has taken advantage of growing ties with Russia and China to bolster its nuclear capabilities by fostering
ties with the two neighboring autocratic superpowers. The fortified ties between those three countries have made it almost impossible to deter North Korea’s nuclear development through U.N. sanctions. China’s move is all the more disappointing as it came just three days after South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul visited Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. They agreed to cooperate more closely to further develop bilateral and trilateral ties through an envisioned summit between Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo.

Against this backdrop, there is a growing chorus of voices urging South Korea to either develop its own nuclear weapons or engage in a nuclear sharing arrangement similar to that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R. Miss.) has called for a treaty with South Korea for NATO-style nuclear sharing.

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration has adopted a cautious approach toward China and Russia, particularly in the aftermath of the ruling People Power Party’
s crushing defeat in the April 10 general elections. The Yoon government has faced criticism for deteriorating relations with China and Russia due to its foreign policies that favor the U.S. and Japan. A shift in approach to surrounding powerful neighboring nations now seems inevitable.

Policy priorities should focus on preventing military conflicts on the peninsula and finding a breakthrough to the complex issue of North Korea’s nuclear buildup. Encouragingly, Putin and Xi emphasized in the statement the necessity of resolving the Korean issue through dialogue, underscoring that political and diplomatic approaches are the sole means to prevent potential conflicts.

South Korea should continue dialogue and diplomatic efforts toward peace on the Korean Peninsula, while preparing for the worst-case scenario. Effective measures should be taken to alleviate the public’s concerns, such as fostering the alliance with the U.S. Besides this, Yoon and his security team should also find ways to improve ties with Beiji
ng and Moscow. A balanced and nuanced diplomatic approach is essential to maximize national interests and ensure the safety of the South Korean people.

Source: Yonhap News Agency