Russia’s Involvement In The Kim Jong-un Regime From 2012 To 2023

Abstract

This thesis discusses Russia’s influence on North Korea during Kim Jong-Un’s regime. Also discussed is how Russia tried several approaches in the conducting of their plans. This thesis uses the Defensive Realism theory by Kenneth Waltz in the discussion of how Russia has influenced North Korea, mainly in regards to security activities and the fulfilment of their state goals. The argument that arises from this relates to the four fundamental assumptions from the Defensive Realism theory, that is, that Russia acted as a territorial structured organization, Russia’s rationality in achieving their state goals, Russia’s security activities in North Korea, and how Russia tried to act in the international system. The result of this study is that Russia did indeed try to influence North Korea during Kim Jong-Un’s regime with an aim to establish a firm position in East Asia region.