The United States, South Korea and Japan have condemned increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including the supply of weapons from North Korea.
Points of attention
- The reaction of the United States, South Korea and Japan to strengthening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia implies the strengthening of diplomatic cooperation and security in the region.
- Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin signed an agreement on a long-term partnership, including possible military support.
- Seoul has declared its readiness to assist Ukraine with lethal weapons if Russia supplies North Korea with high-precision weapons.
What is said in the joint statement of the USA, South Korea and Japan
The statement emphasised that, in addition to continuing the suffering of the Ukrainian people, the supply of weapons from North Korea violates numerous UN Security Council resolutions and threatens stability in both Northeast Asia and Europe.
The development of the partnership between North Korea and Russia, as evidenced by the signing of a strategic partnership agreement during the visit of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang on June 19, should cause serious concern to all those interested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, the authors of the document noted.
The US, South Korea and Japan affirm their intention to strengthen diplomatic and security cooperation further to counter North Korea's regional and global security threats.
The US commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains steadfast. The United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan also confirm that the path to dialogue remains open and call on North Korea to stop further provocations and return to negotiations, the statement said.
What is known about the Russia-North Korea treaty and Putin's statements?
On June 18, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time in 24 years and met with its leader, Kim Jong Un.
They signed an agreement on a long-term partnership - probably a strategic agreement, in particular regarding military support. After that, Kim Jong-un said that the relations between the two countries are entering a period of "new prosperity".
Amid growing ties between Russia and North Korea, Seoul said it "will have no obstacles in helping Ukraine with lethal weapons" if Russia supplies North Korea with high-precision weapons.
Currently, Seoul does not officially provide military aid to Ukraine, but the country offers humanitarian and financial assistance. Putin said that supplying South Korean weapons to Ukraine would be "a huge mistake."
