U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that member countries of the United Nations that uphold the Korean War truce are concerned that China and Russia are assisting North Korea in expanding its military capabilities by enabling Pyongyang to evade UN sanctions. Austin was speaking at a meeting in South Korea with defense ministers and representatives from 17 countries forming the United Nations Command (UNC), the body overseeing the truce.
Austin stated, "We are deeply concerned that the People's Republic of China and Russia are helping the Democratic People's Republic of Korea expand its capabilities by enabling it to bypass United Nations Security Council sanctions," using North Korea's official name. He added, "We are also disturbed by the recent increase in military cooperation between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
Washington has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with military equipment for use in its war with Ukraine and has accused Moscow of providing technical military support to Pyongyang. Both North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals despite the pledges made by the leaders of the two countries to strengthen military cooperation during their meeting in September in far eastern Russia.
China, North Korea's closest ally, has stated that it adheres to international obligations. A joint statement from the United Nations Command and South Korea asserted that the command "will stand united in the event of any resurgence of hostilities or armed attack on the Korean Peninsula," condemning North Korea's "illegal" nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik warned Pyongyang against attempting any hostile actions, pointing out that unlike in 1950 when the Korean War broke out, North Korea is now a member state of the United Nations.
