Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) and three key allies have expressed "grave concerns" over North Korea's military deployment in Russia and are working on a "coordinated response," according to the joint statement published on Nov. 5.
Besides the G7 members, including the U.S., Japan, Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and the High Representative of the European Union, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
"Several thousands of DPRK troops have been deployed to Russia. The DPRK's direct support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, besides showing Russia's desperate efforts to compensate its losses, would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," the statement read.
"It would be a further breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the U.N. Charter."
The ministers condemned in "the strongest possible terms" the deepening of the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, including Russia's "unlawful procurement" of North Korean ballistic missiles.
The ministers also expressed concern over potential transfers of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology from Russia to the DPRK.
"We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We are working with our international partners for a coordinated response to this new development," the statement read.
North Korea has deployed 11,000 troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 4.
On the following day, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that the first clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers had already taken place in Kursk Oblast.
According to Zelensky, Russia has confirmed to the West the involvement of Pyongyang's forces in the war.
The Kyiv Independent
