Increased pressure on Moscow
USA wants to prevent technology transfer to North Korea
November 9, 2023, 3:06 p.m
The United States and South Korea are concerned about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. US Secretary of State Blinken commented on this during a visit to Seoul. He is threatening the Russian government with action if it continues to pass on military technology.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia against passing on military technology to the self-proclaimed nuclear power North Korea. He spoke with his South Korean colleague Park Jin about further measures “that our countries can take with partners to increase pressure on Moscow not to pass on military technology to the People’s Republic (North Korea),” said Blinken. Such technology transfer would violate several UN Security Council resolutions, he emphasized.
With a view to North Korea’s weapons programs and frequent missile tests, he called on China to exert more influence on its isolated neighboring country. Blinken did not give any details about how far the measures against Russia could go. North Korea, ruled by Kim Jong Un, is subject to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
UN resolutions also prohibit other member states from passing on technologies to North Korea that could support its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. The United States and South Korea are deeply concerned about growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, said Blinken, who arrived in South Korea on Wednesday after attending the meeting of the G7 group of economically strong democracies in Japan. He accused North Korea of supplying military equipment to Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine. In return, Russia provides technology and assistance for North Korea’s own military programs.
“Biggest source of instability”
The United States and South Korea’s military and intelligence agencies suspect that Russia may have received up to a million artillery shells and other military equipment from North Korea since early August. The Kremlin said last month that the US had provided no evidence of such arms deliveries from North Korea. Blinken called North Korea the “biggest source of instability” that should also worry China. As a result of its unique relationship with North Korea, China has “real influence,” he said.
“We look to China to use this influence to play a constructive role in moving North Korea away from its irresponsible and dangerous behavior.” The US and South Korea would also seek to pressure China to play a role in preventing arms deals between Moscow and Pyongyang, said Blinken’s colleague Park.