US Expresses Alarm Over Strengthening North Korea-Russia Alliance Before Putin's Visit to Pyongyang

After news from North Korea that announced Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang later this week, the US State Department issued an official statement on Monday, expressing grave concerns over rising military cooperation between both countries.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing the Korean Central News Agency, reported the visit of Russian President Putin from Tuesday to Wednesday, which raises apprehensions regarding the route Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are taking in what apparently seems to be an effort at solidifying their bilateral military alliance. This can affect security dynamics not only on the Korean Peninsula but across the world at large.

“We are aware of reports that President Putin will visit Pyongyang soon,” the spokesperson responded to Yonhap news agency's inquiry.

“Deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a trend that should be of great concern to anyone interested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, upholding the global non-proliferation regime, and supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence against Russia’s brutal invasion,” the official emphasized.

This visit was the first to North Korea that Putin will make in 24 years. The last was in July 2000, under Kim Jong-un's late father, Kim Jong-il.

The relationship that Pyongyang and Moscow have has heavy overtures security-wise, engendering keen watching by Seoul, Washington, and several other countries.

Washington disclosed that since September, Pyongyang has dispatched over 10,000 containers of munitions or munition-related materials to Russia, alongside its missile deliveries.

In exchange, North Korea has reportedly sought Moscow's support, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, and equipment for ballistic missile production, according to US officials.