The cordial relationship and frequent contacts between Moscow and Pyongyang spurred the United States into action. The aid North Korea provided to Russia for Ukraine aroused great concern on the Washington front. The last meeting between the two countries at the level of foreign ministers resulted in the USA giving a warning to North Korea. US Department of Defense (Pentagon) Spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder stated at a press conference that the relationship between North Korea and Russia is “open” and said, “We do not want to see the aid provided to Russia for use in Ukraine continue to increase.”
USA THREATENS NORTH KOREA AND RUSSIA APPROACH
Answering a question about North Korea’s latest hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile test, Ryder called on Pyongyang to avoid “destabilizing” activities. “When it comes to destabilizing activities, we will continue to call on North Korea to refrain from such activities,” Ryder said, adding, “We will continue to consult closely with our allies in the region to maintain peace and security.”
DIPLOMACY CALL TO NORTH KOREA
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated his call for dialogue with North Korea at a press conference he held separately from Ryder. “We call on North Korea to refrain from further provocative, destabilizing actions and statements and to return to diplomacy,” Miller said, adding, “We invite North Korea to engage in concrete discussions, especially on managing military risks and determining ways to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.” spoke. Miller emphasized that Washington has no “hostile intent” towards Pyongyang.
“RUSSIA VIOLATED UN RESOLUTIONS”
Referring to the visit of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-Hui to Russia, Miller drew attention to the arms transfers between Pyongyang and Moscow, which Washington criticized as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. “We saw that Russia was providing weapons to North Korea and North Korea was providing weapons to Russia,” Miller said. “We have seen Russia take actions that violate many UN Security Council resolutions that it supports,” he said.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-Hui visited Russia upon the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and it was reported to the public that Choe also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit was interpreted as an indicator of increasing defense cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
(AA-IHA)
