Korea-UK Foreign Ministers Condemn North Korea's Troop Deployment... Monitoring Russia's Response

Separate Condemnation Statement Prepared Apart from Strategic Dialogue Joint Statement

The foreign ministers of South Korea and the United Kingdom condemned the deployment of North Korean troops and warned that they are closely monitoring Russia's response.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 22nd, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy held the 9th Korea-UK Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in Seoul the previous day and issued the "Korea-UK Joint Statement on North Korea-Russia Cooperation." In the statement, both sides declared, "We strongly condemn the ongoing illegal arms transfers by North Korea and the deployment of forces to Russia in support of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine."

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy are greeting each other before the Korea-UK Strategic Dialogue at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The two ministers pointed out, "The cooperation between North Korea and Russia not only violates multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions but also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people, threatens global security including South Korea and the UK, and demonstrates the desperation of North Korea and Russia." They added, "We are closely monitoring what Russia may provide to North Korea in exchange for weapons and military personnel," warning that "this includes the possibility of Russia supplying materials and technology to support North Korea's military objectives."

Furthermore, they expressed deep concern about the potential transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile technology to North Korea, stating, "This endangers international non-proliferation efforts and could threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and worldwide." They also noted, "We recognize that Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security are more closely intertwined than ever before, and we will closely monitor the situation and actively pursue necessary measures with the international community to prevent illegal, reckless, and destabilizing actions."

This statement was prepared separately from the joint statement of the strategic dialogue. During the meeting the previous day, the two ministers agreed to hold the first 2+2 foreign and defense ministers' meeting in the first half of next year to continue in-depth discussions.

South Korea and the UK elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Global Strategic Partnership" last year. Excluding the United States, this is considered the highest level of cooperation among relationships that do not include a military alliance.