US Department of Defense on North Korea-Russia Closeness: "Possible Arms Deal... They Will Pay the Price"

Repeated Warning for Violation of UN Security Council Resolution

The U.S. Department of Defense has warned that it is closely monitoring the possibility of arms transactions between North Korea and Russia, as the two countries have recently been deepening their military cooperation.

On the 8th (local time), Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated during a regular briefing, "Any arms transactions between North Korea and Russia would violate United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and we continue to monitor this closely."

When asked by reporters how concerned the U.S. is about North Korea selling weapons to other countries, she replied, "We are very concerned." She added, "We will continue to identify and expose arms transactions, and we will make it clear that countries that engage in or plan to engage in transactions with North Korea will face consequences."

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu led a Russian military delegation to North Korea from April 25 to 27 to mark Victory Day (the anniversary of the Korean War armistice). Following this, suspicions arose, mainly from the West including the U.S., that North Korea and Russia may have discussed arms deals on the occasion of Victory Day. Additionally, footage appeared showing Ukrainian forces using North Korean-made weapons believed to have been seized from Russia.

Regarding this, John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the National Security Council (NSC), said in a briefing on the 3rd, "Minister Shoigu recently visited North Korea as part of efforts to persuade North Korea to sell ammunition to Russia," and added, "We are concerned that North Korea continues to consider providing military support to Russia’s military operations in Ukraine."

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of Defense.
Photo by AP Yonhap News

Western intelligence agencies, including those in the U.S., have repeatedly criticized North Korea for supplying weapons to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine, via maritime transport. U.S. authorities claim that Russia purchased millions of rockets from North Korea around September last year to deploy in the Ukraine war, and allegations have also been made that North Korea sold infantry rockets and missiles to the Russian private military company Wagner Group.

Earlier, the European Union (EU) issued a statement urging, "The defense cooperation between North Korea and Russia is a clear violation of international law and UNSC resolutions and must be stopped immediately." The EU expressed concern that "North Korea could generate funds for illegal nuclear and missile development through arms deals with Russia," and warned that "China, which has influence over North Korea, must take immediate action."

Meanwhile, regarding a Washington Post (WP) report yesterday that hackers affiliated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army hacked into the Japanese government’s confidential security information network at the end of 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense stated, "We have confidence in our relationship and information sharing with Japan," and added, "We will continue to share information going forward."

Regarding the WP report that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Japanese officials that information sharing could slow if cybersecurity is not guaranteed, the spokesperson responded, "We are confident that Japan can address any security concerns."

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