The NATO summit, set to take place from July 9 to 11 in Washington, will bring together leaders from 32 member countries to discuss a range of pressing security issues, including the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
This meeting comes amid heightened tensions and strategic alliances forming in both Europe and East Asia, as reported by VOA on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
Key topics on the agenda include providing continued military support to Ukraine, which has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for over two years.
Additionally, the summit will focus on strengthening security ties with South Korea and Japan, both of which are facing increasing threats due to the deepening Russia-North Korea relationship.
Experts predict that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea will be a significant point of discussion.
Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, suggests that this issue may become critical if intelligence indicates that North Korea is sending military personnel to support Russia in Ukraine.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defense pact in Pyongyang, sparking concerns about North Korea’s potential involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
There are speculations that North Korea might dispatch army engineers to Russian-occupied Donetsk to aid in reconstruction efforts.
Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick Ryder warned North Korea against sending troops to support Russia, labeling such forces as "cannon fodder" in an illegal war.
Despite these warnings, North Korea has renewed its support for Russia, emphasizing its commitment to stand by the Russian army.
Both Washington and Seoul estimate that Pyongyang has sent around 10,000 containers of munitions to Russia, although Moscow and Pyongyang deny any arms exchanges.
The defense pact signed by Putin and Kim includes provisions for enhancing military and technical cooperation, raising further alarms in the international community.
Analysts like Matthew Brummer, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, highlight the risks and opportunities presented by closer Russia-North Korea relations.
Brummer notes that increased North Korean involvement in the conflict could potentially drive a wedge between China and Russia, offering strategic advantages for NATO and its allies.
China has expressed its concerns over NATO's involvement in East Asia. Beijing is closely monitoring the summit and has stated that any attempts by NATO to extend its influence into the Asia-Pacific region could undermine regional peace and stability.
The Chinese government has urged against actions that could stoke division and confrontation in the area.
The U.S. State Department has yet to respond to Beijing's comments. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea plan to meet with U.S. officials on the sidelines of the NATO summit to further discuss regional security issues.
In addition to the main summit discussions, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will conduct joint drills with Germany, Spain, and France, showcasing the growing military cooperation between NATO and East Asian partners.
Analysts believe that while NATO's primary focus remains on defending Ukraine, bilateral arrangements between NATO countries and South Korea may also develop, particularly through the United Nations Command.