G7 Leaders Condemn North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Exports to Russia

BUSAN - The French Ambassador to South Korea, Philippe Bertoux, made a visit to the Renault Korea production line in Busan last week, signaling strong ties between the two countries ahead of the company's introduction of a new hybrid model. Renault Korea, the South Korean arm of the France-based Renault Group, hosted the ambassador at their facilities in the southeastern port city on Friday. According to Yonhap News Agency, the visit precedes the company's ambitious plan to unveil a new hybrid SUV in the second half of 2024, known as the Aurora project. Ambassador Bertoux expressed his heightened expectations for the upcoming project, noting the significant role Renault Korea plays in fostering economic and technological cooperation between South Korea and France. SEOUL — The Group of Seven (G7) leading democracies have issued a strong condemnation against the arms transactions between North Korea and Russia, marking the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The statement, released on Saturday, highlighted the violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) due to Pyongyang's exports and Moscow's procurement of North Korean ballistic missiles. According to Yonhap News Agency, which include the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan, such activities undermine international peace and security efforts. "We strongly condemn North Korea's exports and Russia's procurement of North Korea's ballistic missiles in direct violation of relevant UNSCRs and call upon them to immediately cease such activities," the leaders stated. The United States has disclosed that North Korea provided Russia with several dozen ballistic missiles, some of which targeted Ukraine on specific dates in December and January. Additionally, the State Department recently revealed that North Korea has sent over 10,000 containers of munitions or munition-related materials to Russia since September. The G7 statement also voiced concerns over the transfer of dual-use materials and components for weapons and military production from businesses in China to Russia. Furthermore, the leaders welcomed the inclusion of South Korea, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands in the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine, a mechanism established to coordinate support for Ukraine's immediate financing needs and future recovery. Expressing unwavering support for Ukraine, the G7 leaders affirmed, "As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7's support for as long as it takes."