SEOUL: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s words regarding Pyongyang’s links with Moscow were sharply criticised by North Korea’s foreign ministry on Saturday. They claimed that the remarks will “only escalate the dangerous political and military tension” on the peninsula.
North Korea slams Blinken’s comments: After attending the G7 foreign ministers’ conference in Japan earlier this week, Blinken was in Seoul. Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, and other high ranking officials visited with him.
He encouraged Beijing, Pyongyang’s principal ally, to exert restraint on the nuclear-armed North, calling the military relations between Pyongyang and Moscow “growing and dangerous” during his visit to the capital of South Korea.
Pyongyang denounced Blinken’s remarks on Saturday, describing them as “irresponsible and provocative.”
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said that Pyongyang’s foreign ministry stated that the comments “only escalate the dangerous political and military tension in the Korean peninsula and the region.”
Using the North’s official name, it stated, “The U.S. should accustom itself to the new reality of the DPRK-Russia relations.”
Ancient allies impose international sanctions on North Korea and Russia; the latter faces sanctions for its nuclear weapons and missile programs, while the former faces sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine and its allies, particularly in the wake of the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un in September, have raised concerns over their increasing military collaboration.
Seoul has stated that in return for recommendations on satellite technology, Pyongyang delivered one million artillery rounds to support Moscow’s assault in Ukraine.
“Despite what some may say, the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia aspiring after independence, peace and friendship will steadily grow stronger,” Pyongyang declared on Saturday.
However, As the US and South Korea step up their own defence cooperation, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin will meet with his counterpart in Seoul on Monday after Blinken’s visit.
