WashingtonA State Department spokesman on Monday described North Korea’s deepening military cooperation with Russia as a trend of “great concern.” Russian President Vladimir Putin He is scheduled to visit Pyongyang this week.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency announced Putin’s plans for a state visit to Pyongyang from Tuesday to Wednesday amid growing concerns that he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will seek to strengthen bilateral military ties that could affect security on the Korean peninsula and beyond.
“We are aware of reports that President Putin will visit Pyongyang soon,” the spokesman said in response to questions from Yonhap News Agency.
“The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a trend that should be of great concern to all those interested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, upholding the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, and supporting the Ukrainian people in defending their freedom and independence from brutal Russian aggression,” the official added.
It will be Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years, having last visited the reclusive nation in July 2000, when Kim Jong Un’s late father, Kim Jong Il, was in power.
Seoul, Washington and other countries have been closely watching the development of bilateral military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow because of broader security implications.
In addition to the missile shipments, Washington said North Korea had sent more than 10,000 containers of military or military-related materials to Russia since September.
In return, North Korea is seeking assistance from Moscow including fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and ballistic missile production facilities, U.S. officials said.
