December 16, 2024
The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union, standing united, have strongly condemned the escalating military cooperation between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation. This condemnation includes the troubling deployment of DPRK troops to the battlefield in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the May 2024 coordinated sanctions action in their joint statement. They also reiterated their previous statements on DPRK-Russia cooperation. They highlighted the profound security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing that the DPRK’s direct support for Russia’s aggressive actions marks a dangerous escalation of the conflict.
The ministers expressed deep concern over the DPRK’s exports of ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and other military materials to Russia, in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. They also condemned the training of DPRK soldiers in Russian military operations. They warned against any political, military, or economic support Russia may be providing to the DPRK’s illicit weapons programs.
The joint statement reinforced a strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity. It called for the immediate cessation of DPRK’s military assistance to Russia, including the withdrawal of DPRK troops. It demanded that Russia halt its war of aggression against Ukraine and end all military cooperation with the DPRK.
The ministers urged the international community to join in their call for action and pledged to continue coordinated efforts, including the imposition of economic sanctions, to counter the threat posed by the DPRK-Russia partnership.
