Criticism of Russia and North Korea Continues at G20 First Session
Scheduled Bilateral Meeting Canceled Due to Delay
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 1st session of the 19th G20 Summit held at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the 18th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
President Yoon Suk-yeol strongly criticized the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit held in Brazil on the 18th (local time). It is reported that the United States, Japan, the European Union (EU), Canada, and Australian prime ministers also joined in the criticism of the Russia-North Korea cooperation, applying coordinated pressure.
Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, briefed at the press center set up in Rio de Janeiro that afternoon, stating, "President Yoon, as the 10th speaker in the first session of the G20 meeting, said that the international community must seriously recognize the illegality of Russia-North Korea cooperation and unite efforts to stop the military cooperation."
President Yoon’s pointed criticism drew attention as it came immediately after remarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who attended in place of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following President Yoon, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru also joined the criticism, rhetorically asking, "What on earth is Russia thinking?"
U.S. President Joe Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also lent their voices to the criticism of Russia and North Korea.
President Biden pointed out, "Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has caused the most severe food crisis." Commission President von der Leyen expressed concern, saying, "The war in Ukraine, caused by Russia, is exacerbating the threat to international food security."
Prime Minister Trudeau also stated, "North Korea’s participation in the war in Ukraine, which Russia instigated, further deteriorates international peace." Prime Minister Albanese criticized, "North Korea is also involved in Russia’s war that threatens Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty."
Notably, Foreign Minister Lavrov reportedly made no mention of the war during his turn to speak.
A senior official from the Presidential Office told reporters, "The Russian Foreign Minister, who spoke just before President Yoon, avoided any mention of the war and instead talked about leisurely and comfortable topics. I think it was a deliberate avoidance."
The first session, which started in the morning, ended more than two hours later than scheduled due to heated debates and additional remarks from invited countries. In the afternoon’s second session, leaders from Germany, Japan, and others continued to criticize the Russia-North Korea military cooperation.
Deputy Director Kim said, "President Yoon had planned to hold separate bilateral meetings with leaders from South Africa, Indonesia, and Mexico during the G20 summit, but as the meeting extended, there was no time, and all bilateral meetings scheduled for the day were canceled. However, brief informal talks may be possible at events held in the evening."
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