North Korea has unleashed a fierce rebuke against a NATO declaration that condemned its weapons exports to Russia, branding the document as “illegal.” This isolated nation, which has bolstered its military ties with Russia over recent years, fired back with sharp criticism.
State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korea’s foreign ministry “most strongly denounces and rejects” the NATO declaration. The ministry spokesperson, cited by KCNA, claimed the declaration “incites new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale,” and demands “a new force and mode of counteraction.”
THREATENING COUNTERACTION, NORTH KOREA CONDEMNS NATO DECLARATION
Criticising its arms transfers to Russia, North Korea denounced the NATO summit declaration, branding it as “illegal” and threatening severe “strategic counteraction.”
NATO was accused by a spokesman for the… pic.twitter.com/8qapaUKTGE
— DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) July 13, 2024
In Washington DC this week, NATO members issued a joint declaration slamming North Korea for “fuelling Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine” by “providing direct military support” to Moscow. The alliance’s leaders also voiced “profound concern” over China’s industrial support for Russia.
Both Pyongyang and Moscow have repeatedly denied accusations that North Korea has supplied missiles and ammunition to assist Russia in its war on Ukraine. However, in June, North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact pledging mutual military support, further stoking the flames of suspicion.
🇰🇵 NORTH KOREA CONDEMNS NATO DECLARATION AND THREATENS COUNTERACTION
North Korea condemned the NATO summit declaration criticizing its weapons exports to Russia, calling it an “illegal” document and warning of strong “strategic counteraction.”
The North’s foreign ministry… pic.twitter.com/jPdcdnWGqs
— Royal FM 94.3 Kigali (@RoyalFMRwanda) July 13, 2024
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, South Korea and the United States signed guidelines for an integrated deterrence system aimed at countering North Korea’s nuclear and military threats. Relations between the Koreas have plunged to new lows, with Seoul suspending a military agreement designed to reduce tensions and resuming live-fire drills on border islands and near the demilitarized zone in response to North Korea’s provocative actions, such as sending trash-filled balloons across the border.
North Korea has escalated tensions by conducting multiple ballistic missile tests, both short and long range, including those capable of carrying super-large warheads. These actions are seen as a response to joint military exercises by South Korea, the US, and Japan in the region. Experts have noted that Russia has been using missiles similar to those tested by North Korea, raising further suspicions of deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Major Points
- North Korea condemned a NATO declaration criticizing its weapons exports to Russia, calling the document “illegal.”
- The North Korean foreign ministry claimed the declaration incites a new Cold War and global military confrontation.
- NATO members accused North Korea of supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine by providing military aid.
- Both Pyongyang and Moscow denied these allegations, although Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin recently pledged mutual military support.
- Tensions between the Koreas have escalated, with increased military activity and provocations, and suspicions of growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
