Divided Korea, United Nations and the Ukraine Annexation
The divergent responses from both Pyongyang and Seoul over Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory, in which both the DPRK and the ROK cite international law as espoused by the United Nations, further reinforces how the events unfolding clear on one end of Russia’s periphery are bound to have implications for the security of the other end.
South Korea, citing the principle of territorial integrity and reaffirming the war’s illegality, stated that it does not recognize Russia’s most recent territorial acquisition. North Korea, however, has expressed unmistakeable support for Russia’s most recent territorial gain, likewise citing UN provisions. It seems, therefore, we can expect actors with competing stakes and interests on the Korean Peninsula to continue using the UN as a cloak to justify their actions and pursuit of interests for the time being. The question remains, how long before stakeholders on the Korean Peninsula cease citing UN provisions altogether.
It is also worth noting that Russian media seem to have focused more on North Korea’s support for the annexation than South Korean condemnation. This may be a minor thing to note for now, but it potentially indicates that the Russian Federation will increasingly rely on approval from countries inimical toward the West to justify its moves on the international stage.
North Korea welcomes the accession of new regions into Russia[1]
The DPRK has welcomed the accession of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, Kherson Province and Zaporizhzhia Province into Russia, according to KCNA citing the North Korean foreign ministry.
“We respect the will of the residents who favored integration with Russia, and we support the Russian government’s position on including these regions within Russia” the announcement said.
The announcement notes that the country respectfully considers the expression of the will of residents to enter Russia’s fold. Pyongyang asserts that the referendums were held in accordance with the UN Charter, which asserts the principles of equality among people and their right to self-determination, the agency said. The process was carried out in line with legal methods and procedures, in which the overwhelming majority of the population voted for accession to Russia.
The referendum on the unification of liberated territories with Russia took place from September 23-27. 99.23% of residents of Donetsk, 98.42% of residents of Luhansk, 93.11% of residents of Zaporizhzhia and 87.05% of Kherson residents voted in favor of accession.
On October 3, the State Duma approved federal constitutional laws on the accession of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces. The resolution was taken during an emergency session of the lower house of parliament.
Original article by News.ru. Translated by Anthony V. Rinna.
[1] Source: North Korea has welcomed the accession of new regions into Russia [Северная Корея поприветствовала вхождение новых регионов в состав России], News.ru, October 4, 2022 https://news.ru/amp/world/severnaya-koreya-poprivetstvovala-vhozhdenie-novyh-regionov-v-sostav-rossii/
