South Korea Expresses Grave Concern Over Russia-North Korea Defense Pact
South Korea has voiced “grave concern” over Russia’s move to formalize a defense pact with North Korea, expressing fears that the alliance could escalate tensions in the region and potentially bolster Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reports.
On Thursday, Russia’s lower house of parliament unanimously approved a treaty committing Moscow and Pyongyang to provide “mutual assistance” in the event of an attack on either nation. The upper house is expected to follow suit soon.
Seoul, in a statement released on Friday, condemned the pact, urging Russia and North Korea to “immediately withdraw North Korean troops and cease illegal cooperation.” The statement follows President Yoon Suk Yeol’s condemnation of the alleged deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, which he labelled a “provocation that threatens global security.” Yoon also hinted at the possibility of supplying Ukraine with weapons.
The US and South Korean officials have claimed that they are aware of the presence of some 3,000 North Korean troops at various locations in Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a visit to Pyongyang in June, dismissed the concerns, asserting that the implementation of the mutual defense clause was “our business.”
Meanwhile, North Korea’s mission to the United Nations in New York refuted claims of troop deployments to Russia, calling them “groundless, stereotyped rumors.”
