SEOUL – During his visit to Seoul, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed serious concerns regarding North Korea's increasing nuclear and cyber threats, as well as the country's expanding military cooperation with Russia. Austin spoke at a defense ministerial meeting with the United Nations Command (UNC) and South Korea, emphasizing the need for heightened cooperation among UNC member states in response to these growing threats.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Austin, North Korea is providing "lethal aid" to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, while Russia is reciprocating with support in various illicit activities. This growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia raises significant concerns, especially as North Korea is reportedly close to launching a military spy satellite, potentially with Russian technological assistance.
Austin criticized China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, for aiding North Korea and enabling it to bypass U.N. sanctions. He underscored the importance of the UNC's role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and called for stronger cooperation among member states to counteract North Korea's provocations.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik echoed Austin's concerns and warned North Korea against any illegal aggression against the UNC. Shin emphasized that any provocation by North Korea would lead to "strong retaliation" from the international community, with UNC member states playing a central role. He also warned that countries supporting North Korea, likely referring to China and Russia, would face similar consequences.
The UNC, established in 1950 under a U.N. mandate, has played a crucial role in supporting South Korea against North Korean aggression and maintaining the armistice that ended the Korean War. The recent meeting between South Korea and UNC member states, however, was denounced by North Korea as a "dangerous" plot, escalating tensions on the peninsula.