Yoon criticizes North Korea-Russia military cooperation

President Yoon Suk Yeol criticized North Korea-Russia military cooperation, calling it "illegal and unjust" as it violates UN Security Council resolutions and international sanctions. Yoon's remarks come ahead of his trip to the UN General Assembly.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, speaks to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, as they inspect Russian warplanes at the Vladivostok International airport in Vladivostok, in Russia’s Far East Saturday. [AP/YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk Yeol in an interview published Sunday called the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia "illegal and unjust," as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Vladivostok Saturday.

"Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is illegal and unjust as it contravenes UN Security Council resolutions and various other international sanctions," Yoon said in a written interview with the Associated Press, warning that the "international community will unite more closely in response to such a move."

The remarks were made on the eve of Yoon's trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly this week.

Earlier Sunday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that leader Kim held talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on strengthening bilateral military cooperation and exchanges on Saturday. The meeting came during Kim's tour of Russia's Far East after holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Wednesday, a trip which focused heavily on visits to key military and technology sites.

Kim and Shoigu exchanged "constructive opinions on the practical issues arising in further strengthening the strategic and tactical coordination, cooperation and mutual exchange between the armed forces of the two countries," in the fields of their national defense and security, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

They also shared views on the "regional and international military and political situation" and "practical issues arising in further strengthening the strategic and tactical coordination, cooperation and mutual exchange between the armed forces of the two countries," according to the KCNA.

Shoigu earlier met Kim during a visit to Pyongyang in July to attend military events celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in Pyongyang, after the country opened up following the Covid-19 pandemic. Kim gave a tour of an arms exhibition to Shoigu, fueling speculation of a possible arms deal in the works.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un,accompanied by Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, inspects a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile displayed at Knevichi aerodrome near Vladivostok in the Primorsky region, Russia, Saturday. [AP/YONHAP]

Kim departed from Pyongyang on his armored train on Sept. 10 with his entourage of foreign, defense and economic officials, and held his first summit in four years with Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's leading spaceport, in Russia's far eastern Amur region, last Wednesday.

The Kim-Putin summit was closely monitored by the international community as the White House has been warning that North Korea and Russia could make a potential arms deal. Russia has been looking to get more artillery shells, as it has depleted its ammunition supply in its war on Ukraine, while Pyongyang, in turn, has been eager to acquire Russian technologies related to nuclear-powered submarines, missiles and satellites, which would be in violation of UN sanctions.

During their summit, Putin expressed his intentions to help develop North Korea's satellite program and also accepted Kim's invitation for a return visit to Pyongyang as the two leaders highlighted their "strategic cooperation."

On Friday, Kim visited an aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, known to produce Russian fighter jets. On Saturday, Kim visited the Knevichi Airbase, where he inspected Russian warplanes including its strategic bombers and multi-role fighter jets. This included the Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers that are capable of launching cruise missiles. Kim also was shown Russia's latest missiles, the hypersonic Kinzhal, carried by the MiG-31 fighter jet.

He also visited the Russian Pacific Sea Fleet to board the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate.

The KCNA reported that Pacific Sea Fleet is equipped with "various kinds of surface ships, different types of submarines including strategic nuclear submarines," Air Force aircraft and the "latest strategic weapons and equipment."

He was greeted by military officials including Shoigu, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Yevmenov and Commander of the Pacific Sea Fleet Viktor Liina.

Kim also held a luncheon meeting with Shoigu and later watched a ballet performance of "Sleeping Beauty" at the Maritime Territory Branch of the Mariinsky Theatre.

Russia's state news agency RIA reported Sunday that Kim toured the Far Eastern Federal University in Russky Island and watched a whale and walrus show at Primorsky Aquarium, a noticeably lighter schedule.

Regarding Kim's visit to Vladivostok, the KCNA reported that a "fresh heyday of friendship and solidarity and cooperation is being opened up in the history of the development of the relations" between the two countries.

Russian state media reported later Sunday that Kim had wrapped up his six-day trip to Russia and was on his way back home on his armored train.

Russian officials attend a send-off ceremony for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a railway station in Artyom in Vladivostok Sunday, ending the North Korean delegation’s weeklong trip to Russia, in a photo released by TASS news agency. [YONHAP]

Yoon also told the AP that South Korea and the United States have "reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by North Korea will be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response that will bring about the end of the regime."

Yoon pointed to his bilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in April during his state visit to the United States, which resulted in the Washington Declaration meant to strengthen extended deterrence.

"Going forward, the [South Korea]-U.S. extended deterrence will develop into a joint system in which both countries discuss, decide and act together," he said, saying that the two sides will "enhance the ability to deter and respond to any nuclear or missile threat from North Korea."

Yoon also traveled to Indonesia for Asean-related meetings and to India for the G20 summit earlier this month, where he held his first meeting with new Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as well as the leaders of the United States and Japan.

"All three countries — the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan — share a common understanding that it is important for China to play a responsible and constructive role not only in resolving pending issues on the Korean Peninsula and in the region but also in addressing global challenges," Yoon said.

In his UN speech Wednesday, Yoon plans to focus on the gap in the areas of development, climate response and digital transformation and present how South Korea will contribute to resolving them.

South Korea has also been elected as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-25 term.

Yoon plans to highlight how South Korea will play a responsible role on security issues that require international solidarity like the war in Ukraine and the North Korean nuclear program.

Yoon, accompanied by first lady Kim Keon Hee, will make a five-day trip to New York starting Monday to attend the high-level session of 78th UN General Assembly. This marks his second consecutive year attending the UN General Assembly.

During his New York visit, Yoon will also hold bilateral summits with the leaders of about 30 countries. He will also hold talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and attend a Digital Vision Forum at New York University.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]