Kim Jong Un’s Russia Lifeline Gives Big Reason to Avoid War
- Weapons sales to Russia, resumed China trade aiding economy
- Kim’s bellicose talk, military moves don’t mean war is likely
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in September.
Photographer: Vladimir Smirnov/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Kim Jong Un’s bellicose rhetoric in recent weeks has revived speculation that the North Korean leader might be preparing for war.
But Kim has at least one fresh reason to avoid plunging into conflict: North Korea’s economy is quietly improving, with growth on pace to reach the fastest level in nearly a decade.