North Korea: "US 'North Korea-Russia Arms Deal Rumor' Fabricated... Serious Major Provocation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] North Korea denied the U.S. allegations of arms transactions with Russia as "nonsense." It also strongly condemned the U.S. decision to continue supplying tanks to Ukraine, which is fighting against the Russian invasion.

On the 29th, Kwon Jung-geun, Director of the U.S. Affairs at North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency, "We once again clearly warn," adding, "The United States must keep in mind that if it continues to spread fabricated rumors against our country and persistently meddle, it will face truly unpleasant consequences."

On the 27th, the second day of the expanded meeting of the 6th plenary session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party, North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un presented new core objectives for strengthening national defense next year, according to a report by Korean Central Television on the 28th. [Korean Central Television screen] [Image source=Yonhap News]

He also reiterated the statement made on the 27th by Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, strongly condemning the U.S. support of tanks to Ukraine. Director Kwon said, "If the United States had not infringed upon Russia's legitimate security interests and escalated NATO's eastward expansion step by step, the current Ukraine situation would not have occurred," and "The U.S. action of ignoring the legitimate concerns and condemnation of the international community and forcibly pushing offensive armed equipment such as main battle tanks into Ukraine is an anti-humanitarian criminal act aimed at perpetuating the unstable international situation."

He further criticized, "The United States foolishly attempted once again to justify its arms supply to Ukraine by bringing up the groundless 'Choro (North Korea-Russia) arms transaction rumor,'" adding, "Questioning the legitimate national defense rights of a sovereign state is an illegal and outrageous act, but fabricating nonexistent incidents to defame our image is even more unacceptable and constitutes a serious provocation that cannot go unanswered."