South Korean and United States officials warned Friday that a possible imminent visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea could deepen military ties between the two countries in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun made an emergency phone call with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul.
Confirming Kim's concerns, Campbell pledged continued cooperation to address potential regional instability and challenges resulting from the trip.
“While the two sides are closely monitoring relevant developments, they agreed to respond firmly, through robust cooperation, to North Korea's provocations against South Korea and actions that increase tensions in the region,” the ministry said in a statement.
A senior official at the presidential office in Seoul said on Wednesday that Putin is expected to visit North Korea “in the next few days.” Russian newspaper Vedomosti reported on Monday that Putin will visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday declined to set a date or agenda for a possible visit, but said Russia's right to develop closer relations with North Korea should not be in doubt or be a source of fear for anyone.
North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Sun Gyong issued a statement through state media accusing Washington of organizing a “dangerous political provocation aimed at distorting” North Korea's image by holding a UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation this week.
Russia has used North Korean missiles and artillery shells to attack targets in Ukraine, according to officials in Washington, Seoul and Kiev, as well as UN sanctions monitors and independent experts.
North Korea and Russia denied the arms deals, but promised to deepen cooperation in all areas, including military relations.
