The two theories behind Putin’s North Korea visit – and why South Korea will be particularly concerned

There are two schools of thought regarding why Vladimir Putin is in North Korea. One is that Russia doesn’t really have any other options right now. Its ongoing invasion of Ukraine has left it isolated from the West, and forced to pivot east. The visit to Pyongyang – the capital of the world’s most isolated state – is a reflection of Moscow’s desperation, some say. The opposing view is that Russia does, in fact, have a lot of options right now. They’re talking to Cuba, to China, even the Taliban. So, others believe this is a calculated move to show…