South Korea Registers ‘Deep Concern and Disapproval’ Regarding Kim-Putin Military Collaboration Talks

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On Thursday, South Korea conveyed “serious apprehension and disapproval” concerning a recent meeting between North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The gathering was ostensibly aimed at bolstering military partnerships, as both countries face rising tensions with the United States.

Washington has cautioned that Wednesday’s summit between Kim and Putin could facilitate an agreement to provide ordnance for Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In Seoul, there is considerable unease that North Korea may, in return, acquire sophisticated weapons technology from Russia, including capabilities linked to military reconnaissance satellites. This would amplify the risks associated with North Korea’s nuclear military program.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lim Soo-suk, stated, “We express serious apprehension and disapproval over North Korea and Russia discussing military cooperation matters, including satellite development, during their summit, despite numerous admonitions from the global community.”

Lim further asserted that any scientific and technological collaborations contributing to the development of nuclear weaponry or missile systems, including satellite technologies incorporating ballistic missile capabilities, contravene United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He also highlighted that North Korea’s delegation in Russia consisted of several individuals who are under sanctions by the Security Council for their roles in unauthorized North Korean weapons development activities. These include Korean People’s Army Marshal Ri Pyong Chol and Jo Chun Yong, an official responsible for arms policies. Lim warned that such military collaboration would have “detrimental consequences” for Russia’s relations with South Korea.

South Korea’s Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, who oversees North Korean affairs, cautioned that potential arms exchanges between Russia and North Korea would necessitate escalated responses from South Korea, the United States, and Japan. These countries have been amplifying their joint security measures in response to regional threats.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, declared that North Korea would face repercussions if it supplied armaments to Russia. He emphasized that assisting Russia in causing harm to Ukrainian civilians would be met with appropriate action from the United States.

The official news agency of North Korea reported on Thursday that Kim Jong Un invited Putin to visit North Korea at a time convenient for the Russian leader, an invitation Putin accepted willingly.

President Putin informed Russian state television that Kim Jong Un plans to visit additional cities in Russia’s Far East, including Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where he will tour an aircraft manufacturing facility. The visit is expected to include stops at other establishments in Vladivostok as well.

During their assembly at Russia’s Far Eastern spaceport, Vostochny Cosmodrome, Kim pledged “complete and unconditional support” for Putin’s efforts to defend Russian sovereignty and interests, which many interpreted as an oblique reference to the Ukrainian conflict.

Analysts remain skeptical about whether Russia, traditionally protective of its advanced military technologies, would engage in a significant technology transfer to North Korea, particularly in exchange for a potentially limited munitions supply.

According to Putin, both nations are exploring cooperative endeavors in sectors such as transportation and agriculture, and Russia continues to provide humanitarian aid to its neighbor. Putin remained reticent on the subject of military collaboration but assured compliance with sanctions prohibiting arms acquisitions from North Korea.

The summit took place shortly after North Korea launched two ballistic missiles toward the sea, marking a continuation of provocative testing activities that have escalated since 2022. Kim appears to be exploiting the global focus on Ukraine to accelerate his weapons development agenda.

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Contributions were made by reporters Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo; and Jim Heintz in Tallinn.

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