North Korea Signals Closer BRICS Relations Amid Growing Russia Ties

North Korea may be ramping up efforts to align itself with the BRICS economic bloc, as its top diplomat skipped the United Nations General Assembly in favor of a BRICS-related event. Analysts suggest that while Kim Jong-un seeks to break diplomatic isolation through such alliances, North Korea’s sanctions and economic constraints make membership unlikely. Recent actions point to North Korea’s increasing cooperation with Russia, signaling possible shifts in its foreign policy approach.

North Korea Signals Closer BRICS Relations

North Korea’s foreign minister, Choe Son-hui, skipped the United Nations General Assembly to attend a BRICS-related event on Tuesday, The Korea Times reported, adding that this may indicate the country is exploring closer ties with the economic bloc.

The North Korean minister participated in the Eurasian Women’s Forum in Saint Petersburg, which included BRICS meetings. South Korea’s Ministry of Unification noted that these actions reflect North Korea’s increasing alignment with Russia. “Although we have not witnessed any decisive moves so far, North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui recently attended an international event led by Russia, and the regime has been issuing official statements opposing the United States,” a ministry official stated, elaborating:

Such actions suggest that North Korea likely intends to actively cooperate with the new global order being spearheaded by Russia in the future.

The BRICS group, originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has now grown with the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, analysts remain skeptical of North Korea’s membership prospects. “Aligning with BRICS fits Kim Jong-un’s efforts to escape diplomatic isolation by positioning North Korea as an active member within emerging global alliances,” said Cho Han-bum from the Korea Institute for National Unification. He emphasized that North Korea’s economic limitations and international sanctions make joining the group unlikely.

Moreover, Lim Eul-chul from Kyungnam University explained that North Korea’s strained relations with China may hinder its efforts to join the economic bloc, noting:

If North Korea joins a formal multinational group, it could potentially alter its decades-long isolation.

Do you think North Korea’s growing ties with Russia could lead to its eventual inclusion in BRICS? Let us know in the comments section below. #Write2Earn