- US, South Korea, Japan condemn Russia-North Korea military pact
- Allies vow to enhance diplomatic and security cooperation
- Rising tensions with joint military drills and border incidents
The United States and its Asia-Pacific allies have sharply condemned Russia and North Korea’s newly stated military partnership.
On Monday, the United States, South Korea, and Japan issued a statement expressing “grave concern” about the defence accord struck last week during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s well-publicized official visit to North Korea.
Meanwhile, a Pyongyang official criticized the United States for delivering armaments to Ukraine. Amid Moscow’s ongoing battle with its neighbour, the agreement commits Russia and North Korea to provide aid if the other is attacked.
The three allies said the partnership should concern anybody interested in sustaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, safeguarding the global non-proliferation system, and assisting the Ukrainian people.
The trio agreed to “further strengthen diplomatic and security cooperation” to confront North Korean threats. Washington assures that its military assistance for South Korea and Japan will remain “ironclad”.
‘New World War’
The rising language comes after the nuclear-powered USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier docked in Busan for trilateral exercises with South Korea and Japan.
North Korea has historically seen such drills as preparation for an invasion. On Monday, Vice Minister of Defense Kim Kang Il described the aircraft carrier’s presence on the Korean Peninsula as a “very dangerous” show of might.
According to state media KCNA, he claimed that it opens the door for North Korea’s “overwhelming, new demonstration of deterrence”.
Pak Jong Chon, one of North Korea’s top military leaders, has stated that Moscow has the “right to opt for any kind of retaliatory strike” if Washington continues to drive Ukraine into a “proxy war” against Russia.
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He said that if the US continues to allow its weapons to be used against Russia, Moscow may be encouraged to mount a harsher reaction, potentially leading to a “new world war.
North Korea has historically responded to joint US military drills with missile tests, and Pyongyang continues to claim that US hostility compelled it to develop its nuclear weapons programme.
South Korea claimed last week that its forces fired warning shots after five North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the border, marking the third such occurrence this month.
This comes amid increased events, including North Korea throwing trash-filled balloons over the border and South Korea dropping propaganda leaflets and utilizing massive loudspeakers near the border.
