A joint statement following negotiations in the “2 + 2” format with the participation of the foreign ministers of the two countries said: “The two parties identified measures to respond to the challenges associated with increasing cooperation between the Republic of North Korea and Russia in the field of security, and decided to closely monitor Russia’s support for North Korea.”
The parties also called on Russia and North Korea to “comply with international law, including relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
The statement stressed that increasing military-technical cooperation between Russia and North Korea “threatens stability in both the Indo-Pacific region and Europe.”
The two sides said they were “committed to ensuring compliance with the sanctions, as well as taking the necessary measures to effectively work with the international community to deter actions they consider to be illegal, reckless and destabilizing.”
Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Washington’s intention to defend South Korea with all types of weapons, including nuclear weapons.
According to him, there are “about 10,000 North Korean soldiers” in Russia, and some of them have allegedly been “transferred to places close to Ukraine.”
Austin added: “I fear that the Kremlin is planning to use these military personnel to support Russian military operations in Kursk, near the border with Ukraine.”
North Korea denied accusations against it from South Korea and Ukraine that it was sending soldiers to fight alongside Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, describing them as “baseless rumours.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in the military field does not violate the rules of international law, and that allegations about the alleged sending of North Korean soldiers to Russia are just “rumors.”
Source: RT
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**Interview with Dr. Emily Lee, Expert in East Asian Relations**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lee. We’ve seen recent developments from the “2+2” talks between China and South Korea. Can you share your thoughts on the significance of this meeting?
**Dr. Lee:** Thank you for having me. The “2+2” talks mark a significant step in diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. These discussions are crucial as both nations are addressing shared concerns, particularly regarding North Korea’s growing influence.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned concerns about North Korea. What specific measures did the joint statement highlight in response to this situation?
**Dr. Lee:** The joint statement indicated a focus on enhancing political trust and practical cooperation, which includes strategies to respond to the challenges posed by North Korea’s increasing collaboration with other nations. This is vital for regional stability.
**Interviewer:** How do you think this renewed dialogue will impact regional security in East Asia?
**Dr. Lee:** It’s quite impactful. A stronger dialogue between China and South Korea can lead to a more unified stance on North Korea, allowing for better coordination in defense strategies and potentially more pressure on Pyongyang to engage in denuclearization talks.
**Interviewer:** What does this mean for the international community, especially the United States?
**Dr. Lee:** For the US, greater cooperation between Beijing and Seoul could shift the security dynamics in East Asia. The US might need to recalibrate its strategies and reinforce its alliances in the region to maintain its influence.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your insights on this crucial development.
**Dr. Lee:** My pleasure! It will be interesting to see how these discussions evolve and what impact they will have moving forward.
