Japan concerned about Russia-DPRK military talks: Cabinet secretary
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The Japanese government expressed concerns about the possibility of military and technical cooperation between Russia and the DPRK.
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Japanese then-Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi delivers a speech at the Lower House on January 17, 2022, in Tokyo. (AP)
The Japanese government issued a statement expressing concerns about the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin didn't rule out the possibility of military and technical cooperation between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Thursday.
"We are deeply concerned that Russian President Putin did not rule out military and technical cooperation with North Korea, which could become a direct violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. We also express serious concerns about the possible impact this may have on the security situation in the region around Japan," Hayashi told a news conference.
The Japanese official claimed that Russia and the DPRK have a weapons agreement and Russia obtained "weapons and ammunition, including ballistic missiles, and uses them in Ukraine," saying that it "directly violates the provisions of UN Security Council resolutions and is absolutely unacceptable."
On Wednesday, Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership agreement during their meeting which will act as a roadmap for future cooperation in various areas, including cultural and tourism ties, trade and economic relations, and security.
Putin said, “The document on comprehensive partnership that we signed today provides, among other things, for mutual aid in case of aggression against one of the participants," describing it as a "breakthrough".
Earlier on Tuesday, Putin arrived in the DPRK for a state visit, where he was welcomed at the airport by leader Kim Jong Un.
Putin and Kim began their conversation almost immediately upon meeting. Before reaching their convoy of cars, the leaders stopped and engaged in a lively discussion for several minutes. The Russian President was welcomed by the DPRK's honor guard battalion.
