WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Washington prepares to host a NATO summit this week, the U.S. State Department voiced renewed concerns on Monday regarding the intensifying military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. This statement comes amidst discussions about global security and solidarity against Russian military activities in Ukraine.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the United States remains deeply troubled by the growing partnership between North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Russia, particularly in light of recent developments that could affect international stability. "I think we have made quite clear our great concern about increased collaboration between the DPRK and Russia ... the DPRK supporting Russia's war machine that is targeting, killing innocent civilians in Ukraine and violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of another U.N. member in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," Miller stated during a press briefing. He emphasized that the U.S. would continue collaborating with its allies and partners to address this challenging dynamic.
The upcoming NATO summit, scheduled from Tuesday through Thursday in the U.S. capital, is expected to focus significantly on unified opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine. This international gathering follows the recent "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which includes a mutual defense clause and was established during Putin's visit to Pyongyang last month. The deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have raised significant concerns regarding their potential security implications, both in the Korean Peninsula and across Europe.