Government Calls North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation a "Serious Threat"... Reconsiders Weapon Support to Ukraine (Comprehensive)

"North Korea-Russia Treaty Brings Alliance Closer... Serious Threat"
"Rationalizations of Parties Who Abandoned International Responsibility"
"Negative South Korea-Russia Relations... Strengthening Military Readiness"

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 a strong condemnation, calling the treaty signed between North Korea and Russia on a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' and their decision to strengthen mutual military and economic cooperation a "serious security threat."

In response to the close ties between North Korea and Russia, which approach an 'alliance' level, the government plans to further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance and ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation, while also reconsidering the principle of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia.

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. The government's response measures were decided at the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) and reported to President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Negative ROK-Russia Relations... Further Strengthening ROK-U.S.-Japan Cooperation

Director Jang pointed out, "It is a fallacy and sophistry by the parties who have a history of initiating aggressive wars, such as the Korean War and the Ukraine war, to promise military cooperation assuming a preemptive strike by the international community that will never happen."

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

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

He explained that the government announced this position 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 clause that if either North Korea or Russia is subjected to armed invasion, the other will promptly provide military assistance.

North Korea-Russia 'Alliance' Close... Serious Security Threat

The government judged that the agreement between North Korea and Russia this time is "not an automatic military intervention in case of emergency" and does not reach the level of the 1961 treaty between North Korea and the Soviet Union. However, the government explained that "this treaty also discusses mutual support including military assistance, so it is close to an alliance."

A senior government official said, "The text states that all means will be mobilized to support in case of invasion, so although we are not the ones to invade, it can be considered a serious security threat. The very fact that North Korea, which is under UN Security Council sanctions, is entering into such a treaty must be taken seriously."

The government also decided to impose additional independent sanctions in response to the strengthened cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

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 ships from third countries, five organizations, and eight individuals."

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin completed his visit to Pyongyang and departed Pyongyang by his private plane on the night of the 19th, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th. North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un came out to Pyongyang International Airport to see off Putin.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Government Also Considering Providing Lethal Weapons to Ukraine

In particular, the government announced that it plans 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 it is now considering revising this stance.

A senior government official said, "There are various options for weapons support, and depending on whether it is lethal or non-lethal, there are different ways to provide support. It is interesting that Russia will gradually come to know about this."

Accordingly, the possibility that our government may provide lethal weapons to Ukraine beyond existing humanitarian aid is being raised.

The government has also strengthened its preparedness, considering the possibility that North Korea might launch military provocations against South Korea, taking advantage of the strengthened military cooperation with Russia.

A senior government official said, "As security cooperation between Russia and North Korea strengthens, we will also reinforce our existing security and military preparedness. This is to prepare for the possibility that North Korea might be emboldened by this treaty and act rashly."

The government plans to discuss the North Korea-Russia treaty with neighboring countries such as the United States, Japan, and China. The official said, "Whether it is ROK-Japan, ROK-U.S., or ROK-China, discussions on this issue are inevitable."