On Monday, North Korea criticized Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of South Korea, for condemning its cooperation with Russia following Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong Un’s recent visit to Russia, saying it is “natural” and “normal” for neighbors to maintain close ties.
Yoon, speaking at the UN General Assembly last week, said that if Moscow supported Pyongyang boost its weapons programs in return for aid for its battle in Ukraine, it would be “a direct provocation.”
In a report brought by KCNA news agency, the North criticized Yoon for “malignantly” slandering its friendly alliance with Russia and said Yoon was acting as a “loudspeaker” for the United States.
It said, “It is quite natural and normal for neighboring countries to keep close relations with each other, and there is no reason to call such practice to account.”
Kim returned home last week after a week-long trip to Russia in which he and Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, agreed to strengthen military and economic cooperation.
South Korean and US officials have voiced concern that Russia could be attempting to obtain ammunition from the North to supplement its dwindling stocks for the battle in Ukraine while Pyongyang pursues technological support for its nuclear and missile programs.
Any activities helping North Korea’s weapons programs are banned under UN Security Council resolutions.
The commentary said, “The foreign policy of the DPRK … will not be tied to anything, and its friendly and cooperative relations with the close neighbors will continue to grow stronger.”
DPRK, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is the initials of the North’s official name.
