SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a warning to the United States, South Korea, and Japan regarding the formation of a security partnership aimed at countering North Korea. His remarks came during his visit to North Korea, where discussions centered on enhancing military and other forms of cooperation between the two countries.
Lavrov arrived in Wonsan on Friday for bilateral talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. The meeting took place against the backdrop of a rapidly strengthening relationship between Russia and North Korea. Recently, North Korea has been supplying troops and ammunition to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, a collaboration facilitated by mutual military and economic support. This situation has raised alarms in South Korea, the U.S., and elsewhere over the potential transfer of sensitive technologies from Russia to North Korea, which may exacerbate the threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
After their discussions, Lavrov accused the U.S., South Korea, and Japan of escalating military buildups around North Korea. “We warn against exploiting these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia,” he stated, as reported by Russia’s state news agency Tass.
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have been increasing or reinstating their trilateral military exercises in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear program. On Friday, the three nations conducted a joint air drill featuring U.S. nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula. Their senior military officials met in Seoul to emphasize the need for North Korea to cease unlawful activities threatening regional security.
North Korea interprets major military drills led by the U.S. as rehearsals for invasion and has long maintained that its nuclear weapons program is a necessary defense against perceived U.S. military threats. Lavrov expressed understanding for North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons, highlighting that “the technologies used by North Korea are the result of the work of its own scientists.” He underscored Russia’s respect for North Korea's ambitions and the motivations behind its nuclear development.
During the meeting, Choe expressed North Korea's unreserved support for Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, framing the relationship as an "invincible alliance." Lavrov reiterated Russia’s appreciation for the contributions made by North Korean troops in bolstering defenses against incursions in Russia's Kursk region.
Wonsan, the city where the discussions took place, recently unveiled a large beach resort that is designed to accommodate nearly 20,000 visitors. Lavrov, optimistic about future tourism, remarked that “I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here.” He assured efforts to facilitate travel, including improvements to air accessibility.
The Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is central to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's strategy to stimulate tourism as a means of revitalizing the struggling economy. However, the full reopening of North Korea's borders to international tourism appears unlikely in the near future, particularly for Western travelers, making the success of the new tourist complex uncertain.
