U.S. and South Korea Express “Profound Concerns” Over North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation
Seoul, Nov 9: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korea’s Foreign Minister Park Jin have voiced “profound” concerns regarding the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The two officials discussed measures to counter the threats posed by this partnership and enhance strategic collaboration with Japan.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan are actively working to bolster their joint response to these challenges. This includes the real-time sharing of missile warning data related to North Korea (officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK), conducting trilateral defense exercises, and combating North Korea’s malicious cyber activities.
While North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, the three nations have expressed concerns about the flow of arms and military equipment from North Korea to Russia. The movements of cargo from North Korea to Russia have been cited as evidence of such activities. Leaders from both North Korea and Russia pledged closer military cooperation when they met in September in Russia’s far east.
Additionally, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Park Jin urged North Korea to abandon its plan to launch a spy satellite. North Korea has made preparations for a spy satellite launch after two unsuccessful attempts earlier this year. South Korea revealed that North Korea may have received technical assistance from Russia for this endeavor.
In response to North Korea’s provocative actions, South Korea’s military has been on alert, particularly after North Korea designated November 18 as “missile industry day” to commemorate its intercontinental ballistic missile launch last year.
Blinken’s visit to South Korea is part of his broader Asia trip, which includes stops in India and Japan. This visit marks the first by a U.S. Secretary of State in two and a half years and underscores the importance of addressing regional security concerns in East Asia.