'Irresponsible and provocative': North Korea slams Blinken's comments on ties with Russia

North Korea’s foreign ministry on Saturday criticised the comments made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding Pyongyang’s ties with Moscow, asserting that his statements would only heighten the existing political and military tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Blinken, who visited Seoul earlier this week after participating in a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Japan, met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and other high-ranking officials.

He expressed concerns about the “growing and dangerous” military connections between Pyongyang and Moscow, urging Beijing, North Korea’s primary ally, to restrain the nuclear-armed nation.

In response, Pyongyang denounced Blinken’s remarks on Saturday, labeling them as “irresponsible and provocative.” According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s foreign ministry stated that these comments would only exacerbate the already precarious political and military situation in the Korean peninsula and the surrounding region.

“The U.S. should be accustomed to the new reality of the DPRK-Russia relations,” it added, using the North’s official name.

Both historic allies, Russia and North Korea, face international sanctions — the former for its Ukraine invasion and the latter for its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

The increasing military collaboration between the two nations has raised concerns, particularly following the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.

Seoul claimed that Pyongyang sent one million artillery rounds to support Moscow’s efforts in Ukraine in exchange for guidance on satellite technology. Despite external criticism, North Korea asserted on Saturday that its “friendly and cooperative relations” with Russia, built on aspirations for independence, peace, and friendship, will continue to strengthen.

In the aftermath of Blinken’s visit, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is scheduled to meet with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul on Monday, signaling an escalation in defence cooperation between the two nations.

With inputs from agencies