Mick Hartley

On the thirtieth day of Christmas, what Putin sent to Kim…

From Nicola Smith in the Telegraph:

Trade between Russia and North Korea resumed for the first time since 2020 this week, with Moscow sending 30 thoroughbred horses by train, amid reports that Pyongyang has been covertly supplying it with a “significant” number of artillery shells.

It is not known whether the rail cargo of Orlov Trotters – Russia’s most famous horse and a favourite of North Korean elites – was related to the suspected arms shipment, but the delivery indicates strengthening ties between the two pariah states that would have wider implications for Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific.

I imagine these horses will at some point be ascending Mount Paektu, the sacred mountain of North Korean legend, with one unfortunate steed bearing the considerable weight of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un himself. Perhaps they'll rotate, as each horse in turn rapidly tires under the strain.

It makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. As the official Rodong Sinmun gushed on the previous ascent three years ago:

The sound of horse’s hooves made by the Supreme Leader on the top of Mt Paektu serves as a source which instills into the hearts of the people the confidence and optimism about sure victory and which makes the whole country brim with the zeal for revolution, struggle and creation.

The beaming image of the peerlessly great man who looked far into the advance of a powerful socialist country on the top of sacred Mt Paektu is the spirit of the DPRK that staunchly advances, meeting all foul winds with blizzards of Paektu, and it represents the tremendous vitality of Korean-style socialism which makes a leap forward with dynamism.

Indeed. But back to the Telegraph article:

It comes as Russia and North Korea restarted train travel for the first time in three years with the unusual shipment of luxury horses.

Pyongyang closed the 800m Tumangang Friendship Bridge, the only land link between the countries, in February 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

But on Wednesday, Russia’s veterinary service said a train had crossed the border into North Korea carrying horses. The shipment of Orlov Trotters, known for their speed and stamina, included five stallions and 25 mares.

Horses have long been used in state propaganda to boost leader Kim Jong-un’s prowess and prestige as “supreme leader”.

Before the pandemic, North Korea purchased dozens of Russian horses worth tens of thousands of dollars and, in 2003, Moscow gave Orlov horses to Kim’s father Kim Jong-il as a birthday present.

China, it seems, is at least providing some food now for the starving people of North Korea. Putin would rather target the leaders. He must be getting something in return.