The US issued a stern warning to North Korea, saying it would “pay a price” if it proceeded with an arms deal with Russia, following reports of ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
During a recent press briefing on September 5, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed deep concern over the possibility of Pyongyang providing weapons to Moscow for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that it would “not going to reflect well on North Korea and they will pay a price for this in the international community,”
While Sullivan refrained from specifying the nature of these repercussions, it’s worth noting that North Korea is already grappling with stringent sanctions imposed by both the United Nations and the United States due to its weapons of mass destruction program.
“We have continued to convey privately as well as publicly to the North Koreans – and asked allies and partners to do the same – our view that they should abide by their publicly stated commitments that they’re not going to provide these weapons,” Sullivan said.
In a significant development, the National Security Council on Monday reported that negotiations between Russia and North Korea regarding arms deals are actively progressing. This followed Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Pyongyang in July, where he sought to persuade North Korea to sell artillery ammunition.
Adrienne Watson, the council’s spokesperson, indicated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un anticipates “discussions to continue,” including “leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia”, however, the timing and location of a potential meeting between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain undisclosed.
In response to these reports, CNN reached out to the Russian embassy in Washington for comment, but the Kremlin declined to provide any information, stating, “We have nothing to say on the subject.”
The New York Times initially broke the news of the potential Kim-Putin meeting in Russia, speculating that it might occur later this month.
Sullivan also underscored the impact of Western economic sanctions on Moscow’s defense industry, suggesting that these measures have effectively diminished Russia’s military capabilities.
“We have also imposed specific targeted sanctions to try to disrupt any effort to use North Korea as a conduit or as a source for weapons going to Russia,” he said
Despite ongoing concerns, Sullivan noted that there has been no clear evidence of North Korea actively supplying significant quantities of munitions or military assets to Russia since the conflict began. However, the motivations behind this potential partnership remain uncertain, particularly as Russia turns to North Korea to bolster its defense capabilities during a protracted war.
The proposed arms deal between North Korea and Russia raised further questions about the types of weaponry and raw materials that may be involved.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, mentioned the possibility of various munitions and materials originating from North Korea. Additionally, Russia has received drones and artillery from Iran, amplifying concerns among the US and its allies.
Beyond the physical armaments, there is growing apprehension about the technology exchange between North Korea and Russia. Officials suggest that North Korea is seeking technology that could advance its satellite and nuclear-powered submarine capabilities, potentially strengthening its capabilities in areas where it has not fully matured.
President Yoon Warns Against Military Cooperation with North Korea
President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, at a high-stakes summit with Asean member states, cautioned that any “attempts at military cooperation with North Korea that undermines peace in the international community must be immediately stopped.”
The South Korean leader’s address had served not only as a precautionary measure but also as a call to action. Yoon seized the moment to emphasize the imperative need for a strong and unified response from the global community. His message echoed the urgency surrounding North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, signaling that collective efforts are crucial for achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea.