Ministry of Unification: "North Korea-China-Russia Alliance at a Weak Level"

Minister of Unification to Hold First Press Briefing with Reporters on the 14th
'Possibility of Arms Trade'...Expresses 'Concerns' over North Korea-Russia Talks
Senior Official: "ROK-US-Japan Cooperation Stronger Than Ever"

Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification, expressed deep concern over the North Korea-Russia summit, stating, "We cannot help but be deeply worried about military cooperation and illegal arms transactions." Within the Ministry of Unification, there was also an assessment that "the level of North Korea-China-Russia cooperation is a shabby level that cannot be compared to that of South Korea-US-Japan."

On the 14th, at a press briefing held at the Inter-Korean Relations Management Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minister Kim stated, "We urge Russia and North Korea to cease their illegal and outrageous acts that bring about self-isolation and regression, and to comply with international norms, including United Nations Security Council resolutions."

Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification, is speaking at a press briefing held on the 14th at the Inter-Korean Relations Management Team conference room in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He diagnosed, "Considering the developments after the Russian Defense Minister's visit to North Korea, Kim Jong-un's inspection of munitions factories, the composition of the entourage at this summit, and indications of Russia's support for North Korea's satellite development, it appears that some form of military deal is being continuously pursued." He added, "Although the specific details of North Korea-Russia cooperation have not been confirmed, it is true that military cooperation is becoming more overt," and analyzed, "Military cooperation such as arms transactions between North Korea and Russia poses a serious threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also worldwide."

Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Putin held a summit the previous day at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia, discussing military cooperation measures between the two countries. It is speculated that through this summit, Russia agreed to transfer advanced technologies related to reconnaissance satellites and nuclear and missile capabilities to North Korea, while in return, North Korea would provide conventional weapons such as artillery shells.

Notably, after the summit, Chairman Kim invited President Putin to North Korea. The Korean Central News Agency reported this news, stating that President Putin "readily accepted" the invitation. Currently engaged in the war in Ukraine, Putin has not undertaken any overseas trips since December last year. If the visit to North Korea is realized within this year, it would be the first time in 23 years since 2000 that he visits North Korea.

South Korea-US-Japan Cooperation → Close North Korea-China-Russia Ties... "Shabby Level of Solidarity"

On the 14th, a press briefing with reporters covering the Ministry of Unification is taking place at the Inter-Korean Relations Management Team meeting room in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, a senior official from the Ministry of Unification expressed concerns about security burdens due to the close North Korea-Russia ties but emphasized the importance of cautious judgment. The official said, "It is true that this poses a threat to our security, but it should be viewed from a long-term perspective," adding, "From the standpoint that Russia gains little beyond obtaining artillery shells from North Korea, there are inevitably limits to Russia's support of advanced technology to North Korea." This analysis suggests that even if Russia engages in arms transactions with North Korea, it will not provide advanced technology.

When asked whether the increased security cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan has led to closer North Korea-China-Russia ties, he bluntly stated, "The intensity of cooperation among North Korea, China, and Russia is, so to speak, shabby. It is not that strong." He further explained, "China, which is involved in the international community, is not actively participating because the damage it would suffer if North Korea-China-Russia continue their solidarity would be enormous." This is interpreted as pointing out China's position, which cannot ignore the flow of the international community due to its hegemonic competition with the US, unlike Russia, which has already initiated a war.

The senior official emphasized, "In the long term, Russia will also find little benefit from cooperation with North Korea, so North Korea will be a burden to both China and Russia," and added, "South Korea-US-Japan cooperation is building and developing a much stronger cooperative regime than ever before in the past." He concluded by saying, "The government will continue to build international consensus supporting a 'free and peaceful reunified Korean Peninsula' at every opportunity, including bilateral and multilateral international conferences."

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