United States' missile defense exercises in Alaska are criticized by North Korea
A North Korean Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile soars in this image captured by the state-controlled Korean Central News Agency on July 12, 2023. [YONHAP]
Unveiling troop deployment details for North Korea and Russia holds strategic advantages that cater to both internal and external needs:
Strategic Benefits
- Strengthening Partnership Narrative
- North Korea: Disclosing troop deployment helps North Korea strengthen its bilateral partnership by showcasing joint achievements, particularly if the Kursk region is claimed to have been recaptured by Russia. This supportive narrative bolsters the "stalwart militant friendship" between the two states.
- Russia: Lending credence to North Korea's involvement can bolster Russia's stance in negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S., especially if significant victories are reported on the battlefield.
- Internal Approval
- North Korea: Disclosing troop deployment can dissipate domestic criticism by promising rewards for deployed soldiers and highlighting their role as heroic acts, fortifying national unity.
- Russia: While Russia's domestic benefits may not be as prominent, partnering with North Korea serves to reinforce Moscow's narrative of international cooperation against Western forces.
- Comprehensive Rewards
- North Korea: Publicly acknowledging collaboration allows North Korea to negotiate greater compensation in the form of economic or military assistance, as the potential repercussions from international critics are considered worth it.
- Propaganda and Diplomatic Influence
- Persuasive Campaigns: Both nations can utilize this disclosure to launch propaganda campaigns, portraying their actions as triumphs and promoting their alliance as a milestone in military and diplomatic history.
- Diplomatic Bargaining Chips: The open acknowledgment offers leverage in diplomatic discussions, such as those concerning captured North Korean soldiers and broader geopolitical negotiations with other countries.
Disclosing troop deployment details could strengthen Russia's political leverage in negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S., particularly when North Korea's perceived successes in joint military actions, such as the potential recapturing of the Kursk region, are highlighted. The diplomatic recognition of North Korea's involvement could also serve as an effective tool for both nations to mobilize public opinion and bolster their political influence through propaganda campaigns, positioning their alliance as a significant milestone in military and diplomatic history.
