The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have strongly condemned the recent increase in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which they believe has heightened security threats on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Cho Koo Rae, U.S. Senior Official for the DPRK Dr. Jung H. Pak, and Director-General of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hiroyuki Namazu, issued a joint statement on June 24 stating, “The U.S., South Korea, and Japan strongly condemn the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including the continuous transfer of weapons from North Korea to Russia.” The three countries pointed out, “The transfer of weapons from North Korea to Russia prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violates numerous UN Security Council resolutions, and threatens stability in Northeast Asia and Europe.”
The three countries also expressed concern about the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang on June 19.
The agreement is evaluated as having restored the automatic military intervention in times of crisis clause and effectively declared the restoration of the North Korea-Russia military alliance domestically and internationally.
The three countries stated, “The emphasized development of the North Korea-Russia partnership in the agreement should be a significant concern for those who seek to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, adhere to the international non-proliferation system, and support the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russia’s brutal aggression for freedom and independence.”
The statement expresses the three countries’ intention to strengthen diplomatic and security cooperation to respond to North Korea’s regional and global security threats and prevent the situation from worsening.
They also reassured, “The U.S. commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan is ironclad,” adding, “The U.S., South Korea, and Japan also reaffirm that the door to dialogue is open and urge North Korea to cease further provocations and return to negotiations.”