Why Russia and North Korea are strong allies

Putin and Kim pose in front of a decorative wall painted by school children in the North Korean capital, Pyongpang. Kim is a keen poet and talented artist.

The Russian Communist Party see in North Korea (DPRK) as an ideological friend and use the regime as an example for Russia. Putin is greatly influenced by the style and charisma of his North Korean counterpart and friend, Kim Jong Il. Russian admiration of the North Korea is because they believe:

1) North Koreans possess admirable traits of character: generosity, patriotism, and allegiance to their chosen principles.

2) Russia and Korea have historically never been at war with each other.

3) The North Korean economy, despite all its shortcomings, is connected to the Russian economy. The DPRK requires huge quantities of Russian technology, equipment, and spare parts. In turn, it is ready to supply Russia with various raw materials. If Moscow chooses the correct policy, Russian-North Korean trade could immediately jump. In a long-term perspective, North Korea could become a much more valuable partner than South Korea because Seoul developed its economy in isolation from Russia (and the Soviet Union) and is oriented to other markets.

4) It is wrong to say that Pyongyang rejects changes in its practical policies. While holding to a firm and time-proven basis of "juche", the North Korean leadership is making determined efforts to update its economic policy to correspond with present-day realities.

5) Kim Jong-il is the recognized leader of the DPRK in ideology, politics, and economics. It is only thanks to him that after the death of Kim Il-sung the Korean Peninsula has not been turned into a battlefield much more destructive than the war in the former Yugoslavia.

6) Kim Jong-il is not very visible to the outside world, but this is only because he observing a period of mourning for his deceased father. As for meeting average Koreans, Kim Jong-il does this on a daily basis. The current DPRK leader is a versatile, talented, and well-educated man, who writes poems and music and speaks several foreign languages, including Russian. Kim Jong-il has a deep knowledge of many fields of theory and practice. He is also known for unparalleled bravery, both at home and abroad.

7) The DPRK has quite a few achievements superior to those of South Korea and the West. It boasts good air, crystal-clean rivers, and fresh, unpolluted parks. Its society is characterized by order and discipline, mutual respect among its citizens, and hard and happy work. Old people and children are cared for. The entire nation is united by common goals and ideas. North Koreans live according to the principles of collectivism.

8) There are some economic difficulties in the DPRK. But the main reasons for them are extremely bad weather and a shortage of raw materials, spare parts, and marketing opportunities for the plants and factories built in the past by the Soviet Union. However, North Koreans are quite optimistic and are determined to overcome these difficulties.

9) The young generation of the DPRK remains faithful to the ideals of "juche". This is a guarantee that the state has a good future.