Since 2000, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has persistently pushed for trilateral economic projects involving Moscow, Seoul, and Pyongyang, especially in the fields of energy (oil, gas, and electricity) and transportation (railroad). The Kremlin has long maintained that its proposed trilateral projects would not only be economically beneficial to all but also pave the road to inter-Korean reconciliation and peaceful unification. This article addresses three questions regarding Putin’s trilateral economic projects. What motivates Russia to push for the projects? Would they bring benefits to the three countries? Would they facilitate Korean peace process? The authors argue that Putin’s trilateral economic projects are part of Russia’s quest for power and search for a multipolar world order and should be understood from the theoretical framework of “structural realism.” The research finds that the projects are not feasible due to North Korea’s nuclear crisis and economic uncertainties and may be implemented after the current North Korea’s nuclear crisis is resolved diplomatically, if North Korea’s leadership changes or if inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation is achieved by the progressive government of Moon Jae-In.

中文翻译：

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普京与莫斯科、首尔、平壤三边经济合作：动机、可行性和朝鲜和平进程

2000年以来，俄罗斯总统普京坚持推动莫斯科、首尔、平壤三边经济项目，特别是在能源（石油、天然气、电力）和交通（铁路）领域。克里姆林宫长期以来一直认为，其提议的三边项目不仅在经济上对所有人有利，而且为朝韩和解与和平统一铺平了道路。本文解决了有关普京三边经济项目的三个问题。是什么促使俄罗斯推动这些项目？他们会给三个国家带来好处吗？他们会促进朝鲜的和平进程吗？作者认为，普京的三边经济项目是俄罗斯追求权力和寻求多极世界秩序的一部分，应该从“结构现实主义”的理论框架来理解。研究发现，由于朝鲜核危机和经济不确定性，这些项目不可行，可能在当前朝鲜核危机通过外交解决、朝鲜领导层发生变化或朝韩和解合作达成后实施。文在寅的进步政府。