North Korea eyes membership in China-led Brics, amid growing ties with Russia

North Korea appears to be stepping up efforts to join the Brics bloc, a multinational group led by Russia and China, with its top diplomat notably skipping the UN General Assembly in favour of attending a Brics-related event.

However, experts said on Tuesday that North Korea’s membership remains unlikely, as the isolated regime’s desire to join may not gain the consent of all Brics member states.

Choe Son-hui, North Korea’s foreign minister, returned from Russia after attending the Eurasian Women’s Forum in Saint Petersburg from September 18 to 20, according to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang. The triennial event included the Brics Women’s Forum and other Brics-related meetings.

Choe was notably absent from the UN General Assembly, currently under way in New York, as South Korean intelligence and observers had initially speculated that she might attend.

Her decision to participate in the Brics event reflects North Korea’s growing alignment with the Russian-led global order, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification.