US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he shared South Korea's concerns about growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which includes arms flows and technical support. He announced this at a press conference in Seoul, reports Reuters.
The State Secretary noted that in exchange for military aid, North Korea can receive from Russia support for ballistic missile programs, nuclear and space technologies.
"We have real concerns about any support for North Korea's ballistic missile programs, its nuclear technology, its space capabilities. We are working to… identify, expose and, if necessary, counter these efforts,” – emphasized Blinken.
The United States and its allies have condemned shipments of weapons and military equipment from North Korea to Russia for use in Ukraine.
North Korea and Russia deny any arms deals, although the leaders of the countries have promised to strengthen military cooperation.
Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin-Jin also discussed the so-called extended deterrence strategy to counter threats from North Korea.
In October, the White House said that the regime of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un had provided 1000 containers of military equipment and ammunition to Russia.
According to South Korean military intelligence, North Korea has provided Russia with more than a million artillery shells for use in the war against Ukraine, and has also sent advisers to Russia on the use of ammunition.
In addition, Moscow could receive an "unspecified number" of short-range ballistic missiles, anti-tank missiles and man-portable anti-aircraft missiles, as well as rifles, rocket launchers, mortars and shells.
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