Harris: "North Korea's Weapon Supply to Russia Will Be a Huge Mistake"

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris publicly warned that North Korea's arms support to Russia would be a huge mistake.

On the 7th (local time), Vice President Harris said that North Korea's plan to supply ammunition to Russia to support Russia's war in Ukraine would be a huge mistake, adding, "I strongly believe that both Russia and North Korea will face increased isolation."

Vice President Harris, who is visiting Jakarta, Indonesia to attend the ASEAN Summit, made these remarks in an interview with CBS News' current affairs program 'Face the Nation.'

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is attending the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the 6th (local time).
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

It is reported that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a summit next week to discuss Russia receiving weapons such as artillery shells from North Korea, and in return, transferring technology related to nuclear-powered submarines and reconnaissance satellites to North Korea.

Vice President Harris's remarks serve as a public warning against the close ties between North Korea and Russia. The U.S. government has been monitoring and exposing Russia's moves in the Ukraine war to check Russia in advance. The New York Times (NYT) reported that "the U.S. government's disclosure of such intelligence is intended to deter North Korea, and there will likely be few North Korean weapons actually supplied to the Ukraine war."

Earlier, on the 5th, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated in a briefing that if North Korea provides weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, "they will pay a price in the international community."

Vice President Harris said, "It is clear that Russia is very desperate," adding, "They have already experienced strategic failure." She emphasized, "Experts said the war would end within days when Russia invaded Ukraine a year and a half ago, but Ukrainians are still fighting."

Since taking office, she has visited Southeast Asia three times. Regarding her focus on ASEAN, she pointed out, "One-third of the world's trade passes through that sea (the South China Sea)," warning that instability there and the lack of guaranteed freedom of navigation and enforcement of maritime law would disrupt global supply chains and make it difficult for Americans to meet their everyday needs.

Regarding the often below 40% approval rating of President Biden's administration and the anticipated tough challenge for both Biden and herself in their re-election bids, she expressed confidence, saying, "We will win re-election."

Vice President Harris stated, "What our administration has achieved under President Biden's leadership is transformative," and added, "I believe most Americans want a leader who actually gets things done," presenting the basis for her confidence in re-election.

When asked about the possibility of succeeding to the presidency due to President Biden's health at the age of 80, she said, "If absolutely necessary, I am ready to take on the role of the nation's top leader," but added, "(President Biden) will be fine."

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