The UN Shines Light on Military Cooperation Between Russia and North Korea

Russia’s Military Cooperation with North Korea Draws International Condemnation

International Outrage at Russia’s Military Actions

Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea in order to further its war in Ukraine is facing international condemnation. The United Nations Security Council, where Russia holds a permanent membership, is among those condemning these actions.

Heinous Attacks Using North Korean-Supplied Weapons

On December 30, January 2, and January 6, Russia conducted three waves of deadly airstrikes in Ukraine. The U.N. Security Council, along with Britain, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Slovenia, the United States, and Ukraine, released a statement condemning these attacks. According to the statement, the attacks utilized ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launchers obtained from North Korea.

Investigators work next to damaged cars at a site of a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Jan. 8, 2024

Increase in Escalation and Concerning Actions

John Kirby, the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, referred to these attacks as a “significant and concerning escalation.” He cited newly declassified intelligence stating that at least one of the missiles used in the attacks on December 30 was supplied by North Korea and landed in an open field in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.

Denials and Counter-Arguments

Both Russia and North Korea have denied the allegations of using North Korean-supplied weapons. During a Security Council meeting, Russia’s envoy dismissed the claims and cited an unnamed Ukrainian air force official who stated that Kyiv had no evidence of Russia’s use of North Korean missiles in Ukraine.

Growing Death Toll and Violation of Council Resolutions

The United Nations confirmed that the death toll in the ongoing war in Ukraine has reached 10,000 Ukrainian civilians, including over 560 children. The U.S. representative for Special Political Affairs emphasized that this number continues to rise due to intensified air attacks by Russia. Ambassador Robert Wood condemned the “abhorrent” actions of a permanent council member flagrantly violating council resolutions by attacking another U.N. member state.

Prohibited Actions and Disregard for Ukraine’s Safety

Several council resolutions forbid North Korea from developing a ballistic missile program and exporting arms or related materials to other states. The South Korean Ambassador condemned the use of Ukraine as a test site for North Korea’s nuclear-capable missiles. He highlighted that these missile launches provide valuable military insights to North Korea and could encourage the country to export ballistic missiles to other nations.

International Call for Action

Representatives from various countries expressed their concerns and demanded adherence to Security Council resolutions. Japan’s envoy stressed that North Korea and Russia’s actions not only violate these resolutions but also pose a risk of destabilizing the region. Ukraine’s envoy mentioned that an investigation is underway to determine the origins of a missile that fell in the Kharkiv region.

Global Condemnation of DPRK’s Export and Russia’s Procurement

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with 48 other foreign ministers and the EU High Representative, issued a joint condemnation. They denounced the export of ballistic missiles by North Korea and Russia’s procurement of these missiles, as well as Russia’s recent use of them against Ukraine.

Read More of this Story at www.voanews.com – 2024-01-10 21:21:49