2. According to the American Interest article, Russia’s recent tough
criticism of her ally North Korea might have to do with the discussion
between Russia, Japan and South Korea over the construction of an
undersea natural gas pipeline that will connect the three countries.
Map 1 Asia Pacific
North Korea is a communist country with very small production, while
South Korea and Japan are capitalist countries with huge productions and
huge energy needs. Japan is the 3rd
largest economy in the world and
South Korea is the 13th
. Japan and South Korea have very hostile relations
with North Korea, but the relations between Japan and South Korea are
also very problematic. Japan invaded the Korean Peninsula and left only
after the end of World War 2. The Japanese were cruel conquerors and
exercised excessive violence against the Korean people.
However in December 2015 Japan and South Korea decided to leave their
old differences aside and move on. See the Diplomat. This is very good
3. for the United States, because these two countries are US allies against
China in the South China Sea. But it is also very good for Russia because
a common gas pipeline could be constructed in order to serve both
countries. Currently these two countries buy expensive liquefied natural
gas (LNG), mainly from Qatar and Australia. See Energy Information
Administration below. Remember that Japan reduced her production of
nuclear energy after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011.
If this pipeline is finally constructed the Russians will be willing to return
a part of the Kuril Islands to Japan. The Russians invaded the Kuril
Islands after the end of World War 2, and these islands are the cause the
Japanese and the Russians have never officially signed a peace treaty
after the end of WW2.
Moreover, if a Russia-Japan-South Korea Pipeline was to be constructed,
Russia could divert some of her gas exports to Europe towards East Asia,
and therefore Russia could be willing to allow the European Union to
reduce its energy dependence on Russia, which is actually the official
policy of the European Union. Therefore even though an energy
connection between Russian, Japan and South Korea would further
complicate the geopolitical landscape, it could also relieve some of the
tension between Russia and the European Union, since it would give
Russia an alternative for her exports.
Articles
“Hoping to Please Japan, Russia Censures DPRK”, January 2016
http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/01/26/hoping-to-please-
japan-russia-censures-dprk/
4. “Russia proposes building natural gas pipeline to Japan –Nikkei”,
October 2014
http://www.reuters.com/article/russia-japan-pipeline-
idUSL3N0SA0ZE20141015
“Japan, South Korea Reach Agreement on 'Comfort Women”, December
2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/12/japan-south-korea-reach-agreement-on-
comfort-women/
Japan Energy Information Administration (EIA)
https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/analysis.cfm?iso=JPN
