The following is from today's Sankei Shimbun, World Issues.
The article "Russo-North Korean Summit Meeting" introduces the tone of the South Korean and U.S. newspapers.
Concerns about Russian intervention in "peninsula contingency
South Korea
The South Korean media is increasingly concerned that the new treaty signed by Russia and the DPRK at their summit has effectively revived their alliance.
Against the backdrop of concerns, Russia may intervene in a Korean Peninsula contingency.
Article 4 of the new treaty, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, stipulates that if either country falls into a state of war, "Russia will provide military and other assistance by all means at its disposal without delay.
It is almost identical to the "automatic military intervention" clause in the 1961 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
In an editorial on June 20, the Dong-a Ilbo (electronic edition) noted that the content of the new treaty could be interpreted as "automatic military intervention" and that there was an analysis that the alliance under the old treaty, which expired in 1996, had been restored after 28 years.
He pointed out that the new treaty could lead to concrete military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, including joint training exercises under the banner of an anti-U.S. and anti-Western alliance.
He feared that the possibility of North Korea deploying troops to the war in Ukraine or Russia intervening in a contingency on the Korean Peninsula could not be ruled out.
In an editorial on March 22, the Chosun Ilbo (electronic edition) vehemently condemned Russia's signing of a treaty with North Korea that includes "automatic military intervention" and refers to military-technical cooperation as a "betrayal" of the South Korean government's policy of not sending lethal weapons in the war in Ukraine.
The paper also asserted that "nuclear dictators are threatening a nuclear-free South Korea" in a situation where North Korea has nuclear weapons and Putin is considering changing his atomic doctrine.
He argued that "it is time for the U.S. to put the nuclear sharing card [with South Korea] on the chopping block," as the conventional nuclear nonproliferation policy cannot deal with the situation.
On the other hand, there is a subtle temperature difference, with Putin not mentioning an alliance and North Korea unilaterally announcing a new treaty emphasizing "alliance relations.
The Hankyoreh Newspaper (electronic edition) noted on March 20 that although the name "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" is one step down from the alliance, it contains the contents of a military coalition, which North Korea strongly demands.
The newspaper introduced an expert's analysis that Kim's haste in releasing the treaty was aimed at "making it an established fact that the treaty clearly has the characteristics of a military alliance."
The March 21 editorial in the JoongAng Ilbo (electronic edition) argued that the revival of the "Russo-North Korean military alliance" had made South Korea's relationship with China, North Korea's backer, more critical.
The editorial cited the history of the U.S. Nixon administration's approach to China during the Sino-Soviet confrontation, which led to an easing of tensions. It argued that this could be an opportunity to distance China from the Russo-DPRK alliance.
He called for strengthening relations through a Korea-China summit and free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.
(Yuki Ishikawa)
2024/6/29 in Osaka
Cunning Putin's "Pivotal Staging
The U.S.
The U.S. media is alarmed by the move by Russia and the DPRK to create an "axis" of collusion between forces that would change the status quo, including China and Iran, and urges that the allies of Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and Europe should confront the situation by strengthening cooperation among them.
In an editorial on June 19, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) analyzed the situation, saying, "Once again, the 'axis of authoritarian states' has been highlighted as 'working together around the world against the United States and its allies.
The paper noted that China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and others "have common interests" in creating chaos in the U.S.-led world order.
The paper explained that the "illusion that the axis will disappear" held by former President Barack Obama and other international cooperation groups and the "illusion that they will abandon their evil ambitions if the U.S. stays in the Americas" held by isolationists who support former President Trump should be abandoned, respectively.
As a backdrop to the rise of the hostile pivot, he pointed to the widespread perception that U.S. leadership has "weakened and retreated" in recent years.
It warned of the danger that the Axis powers would become even more aggressive if the U.S. became even weaker.
Washington Post foreign affairs columnist Max Boot pointed out in his column on March 20 that "friction and competition" among the Axis powers "should not be overlooked.
He exclaimed that the rapid approach of Russia and North Korea would "weaken China's influence over North Korea" and that "Beijing can't be too happy about it.
There is diplomatic room for the United States to take advantage of such "disagreements" among the Axis powers.
However, according to a commentary in the New York Times on March 22, "Mr. Putin had it all in mind" that President Xi Jinping, who values stability on the Korean Peninsula, was not at ease.
According to the article, Mr. Putin's aim in strengthening ties with Mr. Kim was not only to scare the U.S. but also to convey "the dissatisfaction Mr. Putin has with Mr. Xi."
The dissatisfaction is believed to refer to China's refusal to provide direct military assistance to Russia, which continues its aggression in Ukraine, as it does to North Korea and Iran.
In a commentary on January 21, the paper introduced a former diplomat's warning that Russia is a "declining power" but "still a formidable and destructive power.
In response to the "axis of evil" led by Vladimir Putin, the Boot above called for unity among Asian allies such as Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.
However, the WSJ reported on March 26 that President Biden needs to stabilize oil prices ahead of the election and that sanctions against oil-producing countries Russia, Iran, and Venezuela "have been more lenient than expected.
Is Biden also being taken advantage of?
(Hiroo Watanabe, Washington, D.C.)
2024/6/29 in Osaka
