SEOUL—
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the “increasing and dangerous” military cooperation between North Korea and Russia following reports that Pyongyang is supplying weapons to Moscow for use in the war in Ukraine.
“This is an issue of deep concern for the United States, South Korea and other countries around the world,” Blinken said at a news conference in Seoul after meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Chin.
South Korea’s top intelligence agency believes North Korea has sent more than a million artillery shells to Moscow since early August. The department estimates this is equivalent to approximately two months of Russian war supplies.
In exchange, Blinken said, Russia provides “technology and support” for North Korea’s military programs.
The Secretary of State did not go into details.
“We have real concerns about support for North Korea’s ballistic missile program, its nuclear technology and its space launch capabilities,” Blinken said.
The United States, South Korea and other countries will continue working to “identify, expose and counter” military transactions between Russia and North Korea, including by increasing pressure on the U.N. Security Council, Blinken said.
