Seoul
South Korea on Friday summoned the Russian ambassador in Seoul to formally protest a newly signed treaty between Russia and North Korea. According to sources, First vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun conveyed Seoul’s concerns about the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty agreed upon during a summit between Moscow and Pyongyang earlier in the week.
The treaty stipulates that each country will provide immediate military and other forms of assistance to the other in case of attack or wartime conditions, using all available means without delay. This provision has raised alarms as it suggests a revival of Cold War-era alliances, following the abandonment of their mutual defense treaty in 1996.
Kim Hong-kyun emphasized that Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea violates UN Security Council resolutions aimed at preventing Pyongyang from enhancing its military capabilities. He also warned Russia about the potential consequences for South Korea’s relations, including the possibility of Seoul providing military support to Ukraine in response to Russia’s treaty with North Korea.
South Korea’s presidential office denounced the treaty as a threat to national security and a breach of UN Security Council resolutions. In a National Security Council meeting, top security adviser Chang Ho-jin indicated a reconsideration of South Korea’s policy on providing Ukraine with military aid, which had previously been limited to non-lethal assistance.
Meanwhile, at a UN session in New York, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul criticized Russia’s actions, urging global solidarity against any actions that could contribute to North Korea’s military buildup and violate UN resolutions.
