US, partners condemn arms transfers between North Korea and Russia

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have drawn closer since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, though they deny making any arms deals.

By REUTERS

JANUARY 9, 2024 23:35

A view shows flags of Russia and North Korea ahead of the meeting of Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, September 13, 2023 (photo credit: SPUTNIK/VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/POOL VIA REUTERS) — A view shows flags of Russia and North Korea ahead of the meeting of Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, September 13, 2023

(photo credit: SPUTNIK/VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/POOL VIA REUTERS)

A joint statement by the United States and its partners on Tuesday condemned arms transfers between North Korea and Russia, including what it termed as Russia's procurement of North Korean ballistic missiles and Moscow's use of those against Ukraine on December 30 and January 2.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have drawn closer since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, though they deny making any arms deals. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Far East region last September and senior Russian officials have made several visits to Pyongyang.

Last week the White House said Russia had used short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) sourced from North Korea to conduct multiple strikes against Ukraine, citing newly declassified intelligence. A senior Ukrainian official later corroborated the assertion.

Key quotes

"We are deeply concerned about the security implications that this cooperation has in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Indo-Pacific region, and around the world," the joint statement added. The statement was signed by the US, UK, EU, Australia, Germany, Canada and other partner nations.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms (North Korea's) export and Russia's procurement of (North Korea's) ballistic missiles, as well as Russia's use of these missiles against Ukraine on December 30, 2023, and January 2, 2024," the joint statement added.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un casts his ballot during a local election, in South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, in this picture released on November 27, 2023 (credit: KCNA VIA REUTERS)

Asked about the accusations during a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said: "No comment."

North Korea's Kim defines South Korea as the 'most hostile state'

North Korean leader Kim Jong UN said the time has come to define South Korea as a state "most hostile" towards his country, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.

Kim made the comment while visiting munitions factories, the state media said.

Context

Russia attacked Kharkiv with several missiles last week, killing two people and injuring over 60 in one of its biggest missile and drone strikes since the start of the large-scale war in February 2022.

North Korea has been under a United Nations arms embargo since it first tested a nuclear bomb in 2006.