South Korea, a growing arms exporter with a well-equipped military backed by the United States, has provided humanitarian aid and other support to Ukraine while joining U.S.-led economic sanctions against Moscow.
Russia n President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo after the official welcome ceremony in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s presidential office on Thursday condemned an agreement reached by Russia and North Korea that vowed mutual defense assistance in the event of war and said it will reconsider its policy of limiting its support to Ukraine to non-lethal supplies.
The office of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement condemning the agreement, calling it a threat to the South’s security and a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, and warned that it would have negative consequences on Seoul’s relations with Moscow. KCNA said Article 4 of the agreement states that if one of the countries gets invaded and is pushed into a state of war, the other must deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” to provide “military and other assistance.” But it also says that such actions must be in accordance with the laws of both countries and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognizes a U.N. member state’s right to self-defense.
Following their summit, Kim said the two countries had a “fiery friendship,” and that the deal was their “strongest-ever treaty,” putting the relationship at the level of an alliance. He vowed full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Putin called it a “breakthrough document” reflecting shared desires to move relations to a higher level.
Ankit Panda, a senior analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Article 4 appeared to be carefully worded as to not imply automatic military invention. According to KCNA, the agreement also states that Pyongyang and Moscow must not enter into agreements with third parties if they infringe on the “core interests” of another and must not participate in actions that threaten those interests.
@Exmeter @Mrose @Topstories Ukraine Russia
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea reevaluates arms policy to Ukraine after Russia-North Korea pactThe office of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement condemning the agreement.
Read more »
North Korea may be preparing to launch military satellite, South Korea saysSouth Korea's military said it detected signs of possible preparations for a satellite launch in North Korea, which already has one military reconnaissance satellite in orbit.
Read more »
North Korea threatens action over US, South Korea spy activitiesTensions rise on the Korean peninsula as North Korea condemns US and South Korean military activities, including spy plane flights and propaganda balloons.
Read more »
North Korea launches missile into the sea, Japan and South Korea sayNorth Korea launched a rocket likely carrying its second military spy satellite on Monday night, hours after its announcement of a plan to put a satellite into orbit drew strong rebukes from its neighbors.
Read more »
North Korea sends 150 poop- and propaganda-loaded balloons to South KoreaSouth Korean military warns border residents of unwanted items carried by North Korean hot air balloons into its territories.
Read more »
North Korea flies hundreds of balloons full of trash over South KoreaSouth's Korea's military said about 260 North Korean balloons were found dropped in various parts of the country and were being recovered by military rapid response and explosive clearance teams.
Read more »