US Department of Defense on Possible North Korea-Russia Joint Military Exercises: "No Impact on ROK-US-Japan Joint Drills"

The U.S. Department of Defense emphasized that there will be no impact on South Korea-U.S. military exercises despite the possibility that North Korea and Russia may conduct joint military drills.

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson of the Department of Defense
Photo by AP Yonhap News>

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated at a briefing on the 14th (local time) in response to a question asking, "Do you see the indication of North Korea-Russia military exercises as an attempt to check South Korea-U.S. exercises?" that "We do not know their intentions," but added, "We do not believe this can deter the joint exercises between the U.S., South Korea, Japan, or the trilateral South Korea-U.S.-Japan exercises."

She continued, "Since the Camp David Declaration, we have been strengthening relations with South Korea and Japan," and asserted, "From this perspective, whatever exercises North Korea and Russia conduct, we do not see it as something that will deter our relationship."

Regarding additional weapons support from North Korea to Russia, she said, "We are observing the ongoing Ukraine war and the isolation of Vladimir Putin and Russia," adding, "Although we have not yet seen an official agreement, we are closely monitoring any weapons support."

Deputy Spokesperson Singh emphasized, "Any country providing weapons to Russia not only prolongs the conflict but is directly involved in the massacre of innocent civilians," and stated, "In that regard, we have been very openly warning North Korea."

She added, "Weapons support to Russia violates United Nations Security Council resolutions," and urged, "We call on North Korea not to engage in arms transactions with Russia."