Government expresses concern to US over North Korea's shell supply to Russia, communicates with allies

US White House: "North Korea Supplies Artillery Shells to Russia"
"All UN Member States Will Strive to Implement Resolutions"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The government stated on the 3rd that it is "watching the related developments with concern" regarding the White House's announcement that there is information that North Korea provided artillery shells to Russia.

A Foreign Ministry official told reporters on the same day that regarding the remarks by John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the U.S. National Security Council, "We are closely communicating not only with the United States but also with key allied countries," and made the statement.

Earlier, on the 2nd (local time), Coordinator Kirby stated, "We have received information that North Korea has covertly provided a significant amount of artillery shells to Russia for the war in Ukraine."

The Foreign Ministry official explained, "All arms transactions with North Korea are prohibited under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718," and added, "According to Resolution 2270 adopted in 2016, all arms transactions, including small arms and light weapons, are prohibited."

Furthermore, the official emphasized, "The government will continue efforts to block North Korea's sanctions evasion based on close cooperation with the international community to achieve North Korea's denuclearization through thorough implementation of Security Council resolutions, and will persist in efforts to lead all UN member states to faithfully implement the resolutions."

Regarding whether there was intelligence exchange between South Korea and the United States about arms transactions between North Korea and Russia, the official responded, "I will answer that we are closely communicating with key allied countries."

Meanwhile, the official reaffirmed the government's position of no intention to provide weapons in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim last month that South Korea would supply weapons to Ukraine, stating, "We have provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine and our stance remains unchanged."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.