
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, October 19, 2023.
13:24 JST, October 28, 2023
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea said on Saturday it was the “steadfast will” of Pyongyang to expand ties with Russia, criticizing a recent condemnation by the United States and its allies on Pyongyang’s suspected arms deliveries to Russia as politicized and distorted.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui denounced military cooperation between the U.S., South Korea and Japan, and said Pyongyang’s relations with Moscow will act as a “powerful strategic” element if security in the region is endangered.
The United States, South Korea and Japan on Thursday strongly condemned the suspected supply of arms and military equipment by North Korea to Russia, saying they had confirmed “several” deliveries of such weapons.
Russia and North Korea have denied that arms are being transferred from the North for use in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“If they were curious to prove that the specific sphere of cooperation between the DPRK and Russia posed a ‘threat’ to international peace and security, they should have to clarify beforehand why their triangular military alliance is not regarded as a threat to regional peace and security,” Choe said in a statement carried by the North’s KCNA news agency.
The United States, South Korea and Japan have been stepping up trilateral security cooperation to counter the North’s growing nuclear and missile threats
North Korea and Russia pledged closer military cooperation when their leaders met in September in Russia’s far east. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this month and discussed implementing the agreements reached at the summit.
“It is the steadfast will and stand of the DPRK to comprehensively expand and develop the bilateral relations with the Russian Federation,” Choe said, adding that their ties will reach a “new higher phase through full implementation of the agreements.” DPRK are the initials of the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
"News Services" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Ends at over 11-Month High as US Stocks Rally Boosts Risk Appetite (UPDATE 1)
-
Trump to Put 25% Tariffs on Japan and South Korea, New Import Taxes on 12 Other Nations
-
The Suspension of Thailand’s Prime Minister over a Leaked Phone Call Stirs Familiar Turmoil
-
South Korea, Japan and US Conduct Air Drill as Defence Chiefs Meet
-
Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Falls on Caution Ahead of Trump Tariff Deadline
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
5-Kilogram Bag of Rice Price Falls Below ¥4,000: 1st Time in 4 Months
-
Japan to Collaborate with 3 European Countries on Infrastructure Development; Will Work With Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic to Build Railroads, Energy Systems
-
Trump Complains about Japan’s Rice Policy
-
EU Proposes Eel Trade Restriction Despite Japan’s Opposition
-
Typhoon Nari Approaching Japan’s Kanto Region; Heavy Rain, Strong Wind Expected on Monday