Russia and North Korea have resumed a 10,000-kilometer-long train service after a five-year hiatus. The journey from Moscow to Pyongyang will take eight days, enhancing connectivity and cooperation between the two nations.
Train: The 10,214-kilometer-long train service between Russia and North Korea is being reinstated. This is not merely a passenger service; it's integral to the military and strategic alliance between the two countries. The service will facilitate the movement of weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies. This rail route further strengthens Russia's war strategy and North Korea's role within it.
Train Service Resumes, But the Intention is Not Just Tourism
The 10,214-kilometer-long train service between Moscow and Pyongyang is resuming on June 17th, after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this route is now significantly important for strategic and military objectives, not solely for tourism or passenger services.
More Than a Scenic Journey: A Military Logistics Network
This railway passes through the breathtaking landscapes of Siberia, including natural wonders like the Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal. The journey, traversing eight time zones and 86 cities, is inherently exciting. However, the true purpose is military and strategic cooperation. North Korea has been consistently supplying Russia with weapons, ammunition, and military supplies. Satellite imagery confirms that North Korea is already sending military supplies to Russia. This train service will expedite and streamline this process.
The Ukraine War and Increasing Military Partnership
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has created a significant demand for weapons and military supplies in Russia. North Korea is playing a crucial role in fulfilling this demand. North Korea has already confirmed sending 10,000 troops and weapons to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly expressed his gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Expanding the Transport Network Under a Strategic Partnership
Following the strategic partnership agreement between Putin and Kim Jong Un last year, military and trade cooperation between the two countries has accelerated. The railway network is the next step. This rail service will run twice a month from Pyongyang to Moscow. Each trip will be eight days long. The train will depart on the 3rd and 17th of each month, with the return journey starting the following day.
Solidarity Against Western Sanctions
Both Russia and North Korea are subject to Western sanctions. This railway route allows both countries to circumvent these sanctions, fostering increased cooperation and trade. Furthermore, Russia provides North Korea with crude oil and technical assistance, while North Korea supplies Russia with weapons and troops. This railway institutionalizes this cooperation.
Towards an Alternative Regional Alliance with China
This alliance between North Korea and Russia could be part of a strategy to counter the influence of Western countries in East Asia, potentially in conjunction with China. According to the North Korean foreign minister, this partnership is a response to the growing influence of countries like the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
