Source: South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]
“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. … Brics, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded its membership at the 2023 Johannesburg summit by accepting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This rare expansion seems to have encouraged North Korea to ramp up its efforts, especially given its growing ties with Russia.” (09/24/24)