US warns NKorea against selling weapons as Kim visits Russia.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Visits Russia Amidst Arms Deal Concerns
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is believed to have crossed into Russia on his armored private train, according to South Korea’s defense ministry. This visit comes with warnings from Washington against North Korea engaging in an arms deal with Russia.
The Kremlin said on Monday that Mr. Kim was visiting Russia ”at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin,” without specifying the timing and exact purpose of his visit.
According to North Korean state media, Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia with leading officials of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, government, and armed forces.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that negotiations involving two delegations would take place, and if necessary, the leaders would engage in a “one-on-one format.”
On Monday, Vladimir Putin arrived in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok to attend the 2023 Eastern Economic Forum. The purpose of the meeting between Kim Jong Un and Putin has not been disclosed, but U.S. officials believe discussions about a potential arms deal will likely occur.
The United States has urged North Korea not to sell weapons to Russia that could be used against Ukraine.
“We urge the DPRK to abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
The North Korean and Russian leaders last met in April 2019, during which Kim Jong Un also made the 20-hour train ride to Vladivostok, approximately 300 miles from the North Korean border.
North Korea Will ‘Pay a Price’
National security advisor Jake Sullivan previously warned that North Korea will “pay a price” if it supplies weapons to Russia.
Sullivan explained that Moscow is seeking support from North Korea due to the pressure on Russia’s defense industrial base. However, providing weapons to Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine would have negative consequences for North Korea in the international community.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that any arms deal between the two countries would directly violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“We urge the DPRK to cease its arms negotiations with Russia. And we are taking action directly to exposing and sanctioning individuals and entities working to facilitate arm deals between Russia and the DPRK,” she said.
Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia follows a Russian defense official’s visit to North Korea in late July. Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang to attend a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the cessation of the Korean War.
According to South Korea’s spy agency, Mr. Shoigu may have proposed that North Korea join trilateral military drills with China. The details of North Korea’s response to this proposal remain unclear.
When asked about the alleged proposal, Mr. Shoigu stated that the two countries are discussing possible joint military drills.
“Why not? These are our neighbors. There’s an old Russian saying: You don’t choose your neighbors, and it’s better to live with your neighbors in peace and harmony,” he told Russian media outlet Interfax.
Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, stated that he was not aware of any plans for North Korea to participate in joint military drills.
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