SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a warning to the United States, South Korea, and Japan against forming a security alliance aimed at North Korea during his visit to the nation. This diplomatic engagement comes as part of Russia's efforts to strengthen military and other forms of cooperation with its ally, North Korea.
Lavrov's visit took place on Saturday in Wonsan, a key city in North Korea, where he met with the country's leader, Kim Jong Un. During this meeting, Kim reaffirmed North Korea's unqualified support for Russia's actions in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to North Korea’s state media, Kim expressed that both nations share identical views on all strategic matters, reflecting the strong alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow.
In line with solidifying this partnership, Lavrov emphasized the importance of enhancing "strategic and tactical cooperation" between the two countries and called for greater collaborative efforts in international affairs. This growing relationship has raised significant concerns for South Korea, the U.S., and their allies, who fear that Russia might provide North Korea with sensitive technologies that could augment its nuclear and missile capabilities.
During a press conference following his discussions with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, Lavrov accused the U.S., South Korea, and Japan of escalating military tensions around North Korea. He caution against utilizing alliances that could provoke hostility towards North Korea and Russia. The three nations have indeed increased their trilateral military exercises in response to North Korea’s advancing nuclear program, including recent joint air drills featuring U.S. nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea has consistently viewed these large-scale U.S.-led military exercises as rehearsals for invasion, arguing that its pursuit of nuclear armament is a necessary measure for self-defense against perceived threats from the U.S. Lavrov acknowledged North Korea's right to develop nuclear capabilities, stating that the technologies it employs are the result of its own scientific efforts.
Moreover, during the talks, Choe reiterated North Korea’s unwavering support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, while Lavrov expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by North Korean troops in efforts to fortify Russia's defense against Ukrainian incursions. This collaboration exemplifies the increasingly intertwined interests of North Korea and Russia amidst the backdrop of international conflicts.
In the context of bolstering tourism, Lavrov also remarked on North Korea's recent initiatives to improve its tourism sector, including the opening of a large beach resort in Wonsan, which can host nearly 20,000 visitors. He stated his belief that there would be a growing interest among Russian tourists to visit North Korea, promising to work on facilitating easier travel arrangements between the two nations.
Notably, Kim Jong Un's push to enhance tourism is part of a broader strategy to revitalize North Korea's struggling economy, although the prospects for attracting international tourists remain uncertain, especially as the nation seems resistant to reopening fully to Western nations. The developments surrounding Lavrov's visit and the ongoing discussions underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, particularly in relation to North Korea's military ambitions and Russia's evolving role as an ally.
