Government Condemns Strengthening of North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation...Reevaluates Ukraine Weapon Support Issue

"International Community's Responsibility Betrayed, Absurd Argument"
"Strengthening the ROK-US Alliance and ROK-US-Japan Security Cooperation"

Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office, is delivering a government statement on the conclusion of the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" between North Korea and Russia at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 20th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The government expressed "serious concern and condemnation" over North Korea and Russia signing the "Treaty on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and agreeing to strengthen mutual military and economic cooperation.

Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, announced this government statement on the afternoon of the 20th at the Yongsan Presidential Office.

Director Jang pointed out, "It is a fallacy and sophistry of the parties who have previously initiated aggressive wars, such as the Korean War and the Ukraine War, to promise military cooperation based on the assumption of a preemptive strike by the international community that will never occur, thereby abandoning the responsibilities and norms of the international community."

He continued, "The government clearly emphasizes that any cooperation directly or indirectly aiding North Korea's military buildup violates UN Security Council resolutions and is subject to international monitoring and sanctions. In particular, Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a leader in North Korea sanctions resolutions, violating these resolutions by supporting North Korea poses a threat to our security and inevitably negatively impacts Korea-Russia relations."

Director Jang added, "The government will resolutely respond together with the international community to any acts threatening our security," and "We will further strengthen the extended deterrence of the ROK-US alliance and the ROK-US-Japan security cooperation system to neutralize North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles."

He explained that this government position was announced after analyzing and evaluating the contents of the North Korea-Russia consultations so far and the draft treaty on the comprehensive strategic partnership made public that morning.

The treaty signed by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin after their summit in Pyongyang includes a provision that if either North Korea or Russia suffers a military invasion, the other will promptly provide military assistance.

In response to the strengthened cooperation between North Korea and Russia, the government decided to impose additional independent sanctions.

Director Jang stated, "We have designated as independent sanctions targets not only the Russian and North Korean parties involved in weapons transportation and oil transshipment between Russia and North Korea but also four vessels, five organizations, and eight individuals from third countries."

He also said, "Regarding export controls on Russia implemented since the Ukraine war, we will add 243 new items, bringing the total number of sanctioned items to 1,402."

Notably, the government announced, "We plan to reconsider the issue of weapons support to Ukraine." Until now, our government has maintained a position of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, but this stance will be reviewed.