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In an increasingly polarized world, geopolitical alliances play a vital role in redefining the balance of power. North Korea, traditionally isolated on the international stage, appears to be stepping up its efforts to connect with economic blocs such as BRICS amid growing ties with Russia. This strategy could have major implications not only for Pyongyang’s diplomacy, but also for global geopolitics. North Korea’s notable absence from the United Nations General Assembly in favor of the BRICS event in St. Petersburg is a harbinger of this.
Rapprochement with BRICS
On September 19, 2023, Choe Son-hui, North Korea’s foreign minister, deliberately decided to skip the UN General Assembly in New York to attend the BRICS forum in Russia. The move reflects Pyongyang’s intention to strengthen ties with the economic bloc, which brings together emerging powers such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. There were discussions at the event to strengthen the partnership, and North Korea’s rapprochement with Russia appears to be intensifying, representing a strategic turning point.
This rapprochement is fueled mainly by the international sanctions and diplomatic isolation that Pyongyang has faced for decades. Analysts believe that North Korea is seeking a position within new global alliances to escape this isolation. However, despite North Korea’s clear interest in BRICS, its inclusion in this economic bloc seems unlikely due to its economic restrictions and sanctions aimed at it, as North Korean affairs specialist Lim Eul-chul – Korean explains.
Huge challenges to overcome
Although North Korea has shown interest in closer cooperation with the BRICS, several obstacles stand in its way. On the one hand, complicated relations with China, an influential BRICS member, complicate its ambitions. According to Cho Han-bum of the Korea Institute for National Unification, diplomatic tensions with Beijing could seriously undermine any attempt to formally integrate North Korea into the group.
On the other hand, even as economic ties between Pyongyang and Moscow strengthen, North Korea’s prospects for membership remain dim. The current context of international sanctions, especially financial restrictions, makes it difficult for the Kim Jong-un regime to comply with BRICS demands. Despite these challenges, this rapprochement symbolizes a strategic attempt to break its international isolation and integrate into the new multipolar world order.
North Korea’s desire to join the BRICS marks an important turn in its diplomacy. However, obstacles related to economic sanctions and tensions with some members of the bloc make formal integration unlikely in the short term. Nevertheless, the rapprochement demonstrates Pyongyang’s efforts to break out of its traditional diplomatic isolation by exploring strategic alliances that are likely to change its standing on the international stage.
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A graduate of Sciences Po Toulouse and holder of the blockchain consultant certification issued by Alyra, I joined the Cointribune adventure in 2019. Convinced of the potential of blockchain to transform many sectors of the economy, I made a commitment to raise awareness and inform the general public about this ever-evolving ecosystem. My goal is to enable everyone to better understand blockchain and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Every day I try to provide an objective analysis of current events, decipher market trends, convey the latest technological innovations and put into perspective the economic and social problems of this ongoing revolution.
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