Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed visit to North Korea could deepen military ties between the two countries. Officials of South Korea and the US warned that this is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions
South Korea’s vice foreign minister, Kim Hong-kyun told U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, that Putin’s visit should not result in more military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. Echoing Kim’s concerns, Campbell pledged continued cooperation to tackle potential regional instability and challenges caused by the trip.
Seoul said on Wednesday that Putin was expected to visit North Korea “in the coming days.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday declined to give a date or agenda for a possible visit. However, he said Russia’s right to develop closer ties with North Korea should not be in doubt or a source of fear for anyone.
North Korea’s vice foreign minister, Kim Son Gyong issued a statement via state media. He accused Washington of staging a “serious political provocation aimed at tarnishing” North Korea’s image. The US will be holding a UNSC meeting on its human rights situation this week.
Officials in Washington, Seoul, and Kyiv have said Russia has used North Korean-made missiles and artillery shells to attack targets in Ukraine.
North Korea and Russia have denied arms deals but vowed to deepen cooperation across the board.
Speaking at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington on Wednesday, Campbell said the US has a very good understanding of what North Korea has provided Russia. This has had “a substantial impact on the battlefield.”
With inputs from Reuters
