North Korea's Economic Growth Rate 3.7%... What Happened? | Lee Mun-young, Seoul National University Institute for Peace and Unification Studies Professor

Professor Lee Mun-young reviews the Ukraine-Russia war, North Korea's unusual 3.7% growth driven by arms trade with Russia, and shifting global alliances. He highlights market-relevant supply disruptions in grains and refined oil products, while also discussing Korean defense implications and Korea's diplomatic position between the US, China, and Russia. - Russia has effectively closed Odesa, cutting Ukraine grain exports and threatening global wheat and corn supply. - Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have disrupted Russian fuel supply, with Russia importing gasoline. - North Korea's economy reportedly grew 3.7% in 2024, powered by arms and troop trade with Russia. - Russia is supplying North Korea with oil, food, air-defense technology, and combat experience, strengthening Pyongyang. - Ukrainian President Zelensky faces collapsing domestic approval ratings and political risk tied to continued war. - A Pew survey shows only six countries prefer the US over China, while 25 prefer China, indicating US soft power decline. - South Korea is caught between Ukraine's weapons requests, US pressure, and Russia's strategic overtures. - Korean defense is noted for combining Russian, US, and European weapons DNA.