US, Japan, S.Korea condemn N.Korea allegedly supplying military equipment, munitions to Russia

ANKARA

The US, Japan, and South Korea on Thursday strongly condemned North Korea’s allegedly providing military equipment and munitions to Russia for its war against Ukraine.

In a joint declaration by the US State Department, the three countries’ top diplomats said they have confirmed some weapons deliveries from North Korea to Russia.

“Such weapons deliveries, several of which we now confirm have been completed, will significantly increase the human toll of Russia’s war of aggression,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin.

The top diplomats claimed that in return, North Korea is seeking military assistance from Russia to advance its own military capabilities.

“We are deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to the DPRK,” it said, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name.

Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Pyongyang and met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

His visit came after Kim made a week-long official trip to Russia last month where he held summit-level talks with President Vladimir Putin.

• Japan
• North Korea
• Russia
• South Korean
• US