Topline
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned North Korea and Russia’s military cooperation, stating Monday morning at a conference in Washington, D.C., that the relationship threatens global peace and security, amid increasing speculation of an arms deal between the two countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies … [+] (CSIS) 2023 Republic of Korea-U.S. Strategic Forum on Sept. 25 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Key Facts
The secretary of state noted that Russia and North Korea’s military relations are mutually beneficial as Russia has been “desperate to find equipment, supplies, technology for its ongoing aggression against Ukraine” and North Korea seeks to strengthen its own capabilities, including obtaining advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.
If North Korea and Russia were to proceed with a deal, Russia would be in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban weapons trade with North Korea.
Key Background
Blinken’s comments come amid talks of North Korea’s possible plans to provide Russia with weapons and technology beyond the artillery they’ve already contributed, as the White House and geopolitical experts sound the alarm. North Korea has denied any involvement in providing weapons to Russia thus far. In their recent meeting in the city of Vladivostok two weeks ago, Kim affirmed his support of Putin’s ongoing invasion, telling him they’d “be together in the fight against imperialism.”
Crucial Quote
Providing weapons to Russia “is not going to reflect well on North Korea and they will pay a price for this in the international community,” U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House earlier this month.
Tangent
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, which Blinken says is an alliance “forged in blood,” stating that the relationship has grown from a key security alliance into a “vital, global partnership.” In April, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met to mark the anniversary and further pledge their commitment to strengthening US-ROK relations and nuclear deterrence efforts on the Korean Peninsula via the Washington Declaration.
Further Reading
The Perils of a Renewed North Korea-Russia Relationship (Council on Foreign Relations)
History Turns Upside Down in a War Where the Koreas Are Suppliers (The New York Times)
$113 billion: Where the US investment in Ukraine aid has gone (CNN)
