From the political point of view of the burden, the minute in Kumsusan, where the Belarusian leader deposited not only his own basket of flowers, but besides a bouquet sent by Vladimir Putin, was more important. In conjunction with the announcement of the treaty on relationship and cooperation, it looks like another step towards an always tighter link between Pyongyang, Minsk and Moscow.
This is Lukashenko's first authoritative visit to North Korea
Lukashenka arrived in Pjongjangu on 25 March for a 2-day authoritative visit, the first in specified format since Kim Jong Un's taking over. The welcome ceremony was held in Kim Ir Sena Square. Kim personally welcomed the Belarusian leader, and during the ceremony hymns of both countries were played and 21 honorary volleys were given. This was accompanied by a typical North Korean luminaire of crowds with flags, students wearing uniforms and a show of military ceremony.
This part of the visit was predictable and propaganda, but it is besides crucial in itself. Lukashenko is simply a close ally of Putin, whom Kim has been taking with full splendor in fresh months. Under the global isolation of Pjongjangu and Minsk, each specified image is to show that both regimes are not cut off from partners and are inactive building their own block of political and economical relations.
The strongest signal came out in Kumsusan.
However, it was not the parade itself that attracted the top attention. KCNA reported that Lukashenko visited the Kumsusan Sun Palace, a mausoleum by Kim Ir Sena and Kim Jong Ila. He placed his own basket of flowers there, but he besides placed a bouquet sent by Putin. This means that the Russian president was symbolically "listed" in the most crucial part of the visit, even though he was not in Pyongyang.
In political communication, specified a item is very important. Yonhap's agency points out that a motion with a bouquet from Putin can be read as a symbolic confirmation of the always closer cooperation between Russia, Belarus and North Korea. This is not about the formal announcement of a fresh military alliance, but about the increasingly clear presentation of the common front of the states that stay under sanctions and support the Russian war against Ukraine in parallel.
There was another symbolic stop.
However, this is not the end of symbolic gestures. Lukashenka made another crucial halt in Pyongyang – Liberation Tower. There he laid a wreath in honor of russian soldiers who, according to the local narrative, were to liberate Korea from the nipponese occupation.
This seemingly average point in the diplomatic agenda is actually a strong political shot. Pyongyang cleverly combines his state mythology with the Soviet, and present de facto Russian heritage. For Lukashenko, in turn, this is an highly convenient situation, due to the fact that for years it has based its power on sentiment to the USSR and common historical memory.
When we connect the dots, it all works out. Both of these gestures clearly show that these were not just courteous talks on the Minsk-Pjongyang line. It was a gathering scheduled in a wide orbit of Moscow's influence. Throughout this visit, the red carpet and authoritative handshakes were of secondary importance. The most crucial thing was the political message and what peculiar symbols Pjongjang intended to show the world.
In the background is simply a treaty on relationship and cooperation
During the visit a treaty on relationship and cooperation between Belarus and North Korea is to be signed. The Belarusian abroad Minister Maksim Ryżenkov provided information about this plan. The content of the paper has not yet been revealed, but the announcement itself shows that the gathering is not to be just a spectacle under the public. Both countries want to give a more formal framework.
The current trade between Minsk and Pyongyang is not spectacular. However, the Belarusian head of diplomacy spoke about the possible for cooperation in sectors specified as food and pharmaceuticals. It is hard present to measure how much economical burden this will have, but the political importance is much greater. Both regimes show that, despite Western sanctions and isolation, they search their own support channels and demonstrably build relations with another countries out of the Western order.
