In light of the recent defense pact between Russia and North Korea, South Korea has taken a firm stance, summoning the Russian ambassador in Seoul to express its strong opposition to the agreement. The controversial pact, which promises mutual military support in the event of an attack, has been met with international criticism, particularly from South Korea and the United States. South Korea’s National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun have both condemned the agreement, stating that it violates UN Security Council resolutions and poses a significant threat to South Korea’s national security. The pact has also prompted South Korea to reconsider its previous policy of not providing arms to Ukraine, with discussions now underway regarding potential military support. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has echoed South Korea’s concerns, labeling the Russia-North Korea pact as a ‘grave threat to regional peace and stability’. In response to the escalating tensions, South Korea has emphasized its readiness to ‘respond resolutely to any action that threatens our security’. Amidst these developments, incidents at the North Korea-South Korea border have further heightened the sense of urgency, with reports of North Korean soldiers crossing the border, prompting South Korean troops to fire warning shots.
Key points
- South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the defense pact between Russia and North Korea.
- The pact includes a mutual military support clause, raising security concerns for South Korea and prompting a reevaluation of its arms export policy.
- The US and South Korea condemn the agreement as a threat to regional peace and stability.
