Russia’s finance minister, Sergei Lavrov warned the US, South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea, accusing the countries of what he called ‘military buildups’ around North Korea.
The Russia’s top diplomat said this during his three-day visit to North Korea, the latest in a series of trips by top Moscow officials as the two countries deepen military and political ties.
‘We warn against exploiting these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia,’ he said.
North Korea and Russia
The deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea has raised concerns among South Korea and the US that Russia might also transfer to North Korea sensitive technologies that can increase the danger of its nuclear and missile programmes.
Lavrov said Russia understood North Korea’s decision to seek nuclear weapons.
‘The technologies used by North Korea are the result of the work of its own scientists. We respect North Korea’s aspirations and understand the reasons why it is pursuing nuclear development,’ Lavrov said, per Russia’s state Tass news agency.
