Blinken: "Russia Intends to Share Advanced Technology with North Korea"…Concerns Over Martial Law

US-ROK Foreign Ministers Meeting... First Since Emergency Martial Law Incident
Biden's 'Farewell' and 'Legacy Management' Ahead of Term End
US: "Test of Korean Democracy, Citizens Show Resilience"

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken assessed that Russia intends to share advanced technology with North Korea. The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States shared concerns about the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, while confirming their firm commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance despite South Korea's turbulent political situation.

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, is speaking at a joint press conference after the South Korea-U.S. Foreign Ministers' meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Seoul Office Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

At a joint press conference following the ROK-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting on the 6th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Secretary Blinken stated, "There is credible information that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with North Korea." He expressed concern over North Korea-Russia cooperation, saying, "Russian President Vladimir Putin is close to reversing a policy maintained for decades and tolerating North Korea's nuclear weapons."

He emphasized, "The Atlantic and Pacific cannot be separated in terms of security," adding, "Currently, what enables Russia to continue its attacks (in Ukraine) is not only North Korea's artillery and troops but also dual-use technology coming from China." He further noted, "Efforts by South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand to expand cooperation with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) are important for resolving these issues."

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul also said that during the meeting, both sides exchanged in-depth views on the North Korean nuclear issue and North Korea-Russia cooperation, explaining, "Today, we condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch and agreed to respond firmly to any (provocation) possibility through a seamless combined defense posture and extended deterrence." North Korea launched one ballistic missile into the East Sea during the time of the meeting.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol (right) and U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken hold a joint press conference after concluding the Korea-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Seoul Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

They also confirmed that U.S. support remains unchanged despite the chaotic political situation following the emergency martial law incident and successive impeachments. Minister Cho emphasized, "(The emergency martial law incident) may have caused damage to ROK-U.S. relations, but over the past month, through communication with Secretary Blinken and Ambassador Goldberg, we confirmed there is complete trust," adding, "We do not have fear or anxiety."

When asked about the emergency martial law incident and impeachment political situation, Secretary Blinken said, "We have serious concerns about some measures taken by President Yoon Suk-yeol and have communicated directly with the (South Korean) government about this." He continued, "The past few weeks have been a test for South Korean democracy, but the people have shown resilience," and added, "I believe South Korea will move forward based on its constitution as a leading democracy in the world."

Minister Cho and Secretary Blinken have spoken twice by phone since the emergency martial law incident, but this was their first in-person meeting. Secretary Blinken's visit to South Korea is a farewell visit before the Trump administration takes office on the 20th. It also serves to manage the achievements of strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, which President Joe Biden has focused on. After South Korea, he plans to visit Japan and France until the 9th.

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