united nations meeting
NEW YORK — In a Security Council session, the United States and other U.N. members expressed strong disapproval of Russia's recent mutual defense treaty with North Korea.
The 15-member panel, responsible for global peace and security, convened at the request of several countries, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, to discuss alleged weapons transfers from North Korea to Russia.
South Korean Ambassador Hwang Joon Kook directly accused the new pact of violating international sanctions against North Korea. As the panel's rotating presidency holder this month, South Korea emphasized that any country's relationship with North Korea, including Russia, must fully comply with relevant Security Council sanctions.
U.N. Undersecretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, echoed this sentiment during the session, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to sanctions.
Following the meeting, Deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood stated in an interview that the new treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang "clearly" violates U.N. sanctions by enabling continued military-technical cooperation. Wood highlighted the unprecedented nature of a permanent Security Council member collaborating with a rogue state to undermine resolutions.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered allegations of sanctions violations, asserting that Russia's cooperation with Pyongyang, including the pact, was exclusively "constructive and legitimate." Nebenzia dismissed accusations of North Korean missile use in Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "completely false."
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un solidified a comprehensive strategic partnership pact, including mutual assistance obligations in the face of aggression.
While Moscow allegedly employs North Korean munitions in its Ukrainian invasion, Pyongyang may seek Russian petroleum and military technology.
The U.N. Security Council remains divided since 2018 on addressing Pyongyang's ballistic missile and satellite launches. Veto-wielding Russia and China advocate for reviewing existing sanctions rather than imposing additional ones.
An auxiliary expert panel advising the council on potential sanctions evasion expired on April 30 after Russia vetoed its renewal. No replacement entity has been proposed yet, as relevant countries have not reached a consensus on the matter.
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