South Korea and U.S. Issue '2+2' Joint Statement... "Strongly Condemn North Korean Troop Deployment"

"Strong Condemnation of Deepening Military Cooperation Between Russia and North Korea"

The foreign and security chiefs of South Korea and the United States strongly condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun of South Korea, along with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, held the "6th Korea-U.S. Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministerial Meeting" at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C. on the 31st of last month (local time), adopting a joint statement containing these points.

On the 31st (local time) in Washington, D.C., USA, the foreign and defense ministers of South Korea and the United States held a joint press conference after concluding the 6th Korea-US Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministerial Meeting.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the statement, both countries said, "The ministers of both countries strongly condemned the ongoing illegal arms transfers and the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia, deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, in the strongest terms," adding, "Both sides made clear that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea violates multiple United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions, prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people, and threatens stability in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe."

They continued, "They identified responses to the challenges arising from the expansion of Russia-North Korea security cooperation," and warned, "They will closely monitor and further disclose the support Russia provides to North Korea." In particular, "Both sides pledged to actively pursue necessary measures with the international community to implement the current unilateral sanctions regime and to deter any further illegal, reckless, and destabilizing actions."

The two countries also issued a strong warning message regarding North Korea's provocative actions, including the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch conducted the previous day. They reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by North Korea against South Korea would face an immediate, overwhelming, and decisive response. They further emphasized, "The United States will not tolerate any nuclear attack by North Korea against the U.S. or its allies and such an attack would lead to the end of the regime."