Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Signs of Russia-North Korea Arms Trade... Monitoring Trends Violating North Korea Sanctions"

"Monitor Trends and Consider Additional Measures"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding the evidence of arms transactions between North Korea and Russia disclosed by the United States that it is "closely monitoring the military cooperation trends between Russia and North Korea and will consider additional measures."

The South Korean flag and the Russian flag hanging on a streetlight in Vladivostok
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 14th, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "Our government has been closely monitoring the relevant trends in close cooperation with the United States," adding, "We are also paying attention to the content of the U.S. announcement made the day before."

Earlier, on the 13th (local time), John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), mentioned, "North Korea sent military equipment and ammunition to Russia last month, and Russia may have also provided supplies to North Korea." Coordinator Kirby stated, "We have obtained information that North Korea delivered weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine," and added, "In recent weeks, North Korea has provided Russia with over 1,000 containers worth of military equipment and ammunition."

He also said, "We are increasingly concerned about the support Russia may provide to North Korea in return," adding, "We assess that North Korea is seeking military support including fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment, other supplies, and advanced technology."

In response, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official pointed out, "Arms transactions and related cooperation between Russia and North Korea are clear violations of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and acts that seriously threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

If the arms transactions between the two countries are true, this would constitute a violation of UNSC Resolution 1874, which prohibits all exports of weapons and related materials from North Korea and bans the procurement of weapons and related materials from North Korea using national vessels.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official emphasized, "Our government is closely monitoring violations of UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea," and added, "We will make diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the international community to ensure the thorough implementation of Security Council resolutions."

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