Johannesburg, South Africa – South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul strongly condemned the burgeoning military cooperation between North Korea and Russia during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20th. The denouncement, as reported by the South Korean Foreign Ministry on February 21st, highlights Seoul’s growing concern over the deepening ties between the two nations and their potential impact on regional and global security.
Minister Cho expressed deep regret over the escalating military partnership, emphasizing its role in prolonging and exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine. According to reports, North Korea has allegedly supplied Russia with a substantial amount of military hardware, including 22,000 artillery shells, over 100 ballistic missiles, and potentially more than 11,000 troops. In return, Pyongyang purportedly seeks advanced military technology from Moscow, a move that Seoul views as a direct threat to neighboring countries.
The significance of Cho’s condemnation was amplified by his proximity to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the meeting. Seated next to Lavrov, Cho directly addressed the issue, underscoring the gravity of South Korea’s concerns.
The deepening of illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is contributing to the expansion and protraction of the war in Ukraine, and we deeply regret this, Cho stated, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
Seoul views the arms-for-technology exchange as a blatant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, South Korea argues that it undermines the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, posing a significant threat to stability across Eurasia.
The international community has been increasingly alarmed by reports of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The alleged transfer of weapons and personnel from North Korea to Russia raises serious questions about the enforcement of international sanctions and the potential for further destabilization in the region.
The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting provided a crucial platform for South Korea to voice its concerns and rally international support in condemning the illicit military partnership between North Korea and Russia. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be closely monitoring developments and considering appropriate measures to address the growing security challenges posed by this alliance.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2025, February 21). 韩外长在G20外长会上谴责朝俄非法军事合作 [South Korean Foreign Minister Condemns North Korea-Russia Illegal Military Cooperation at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]. Retrieved from [Insert original URL here if available, otherwise remove this line].
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