(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with meeting results; CHANGES, ADDS photo)
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) — South Korea and 17 member states of the U.S.-led U.N. Command (UNC) called on Russia and North Korea on Tuesday to “immediately” cease their military cooperation, expressing “serious” concern over their arms trade and other activities.
The countries issued the call in a joint statement adopted during a defense ministerial meeting involving South Korea and the members of the multinational force overseeing the armistice of the 1950-53 Korean War. Of the 18 UNC members, South Africa did not participate in the meeting.
“The defense ministers and representatives expressed serious concern over military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, highlighted by the signing of the ‘Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,’ including weapons transactions and technological cooperation,” the statement read.
DPRK stands for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“They urged Russia and the DPRK to immediately cease all such activities,” it said.
Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun (C) speaks during a defense ministerial meeting between South Korea and member states of the U.S,-led U.N. Command at a hotel in central Seoul on Sept. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of supplying arms to Russia to fuel its war against Ukraine in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions against the North over its missile and nuclear programs.
The two countries have been bolstering military and other cooperation, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signing the bilateral partnership pact during their June summit in Pyongyang that includes a mutual defense clause.
“North Korea’s illegal arms support has led to cruel and fatal results in Ukraine,” Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said at the meeting. “Countries that share universal values of freedom and democracy must jointly respond by establishing strong solidarity.”
In the joint statement, the participants also strongly condemned the North’s “illegal” nuclear and ballistic missile programs, describing them as “seriously” undermining international non-proliferation regimes.
The UNC member states declared they would remain united upon the renewal of hostilities or armed attack against South Korea, while the participants also agreed to increase information sharing and reinforce combined exercises.
The meeting took place as South Korea has recently sought closer ties with the command to bolster deterrence against growing North Korean military threats, exemplified by its launches of 37 ballistic missiles this year.
The UNC, which consists of countries that sent troops or medical aid for South Korea during the Korean War, was established in July 1950 under a U.N. mandate to support the South against North Korea’s aggression.
The current 18 UNC members also include Australia, Belgium, Britain, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Thailand and Turkey.
Germany joined the UNC as its newest member last month.
North Korea has long called for the dissolution of the UNC, casting it as a U.S.-led “illegal” mechanism.
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair (R) speaks during a defense ministerial meeting between South Korea and member states of the U.S,-led U.N. Command at a hotel in central Seoul on Sept. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
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