North Korea says US military aid to Ukraine an ‘incredible mistake’
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu on Sept 14. Pyongyang and Moscow have dramatically upgraded their ties in the past year.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL – North Korea, which has been accused of illegally supplying weapons to Russia, said on Sept 29 that US military aid worth about US$8 billion (S$10.2 billion) to Ukraine is “an incredible mistake” and playing with fire against nuclear superpower Russia.
US President Joe Biden announced the new aid on Sept 26
Ms Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Washington is escalating the Ukraine conflict and driving all of Europe to the brink of a nuclear war.
“The United States and the West should not dismiss or underestimate Russia’s serious warning,” Ms Kim said in a statement published by state news agency KCNA.
“Are the United States and the West really able to handle the consequences as they recklessly play with fire against Russia, which is a nuclear superpower?” she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned he could use nuclear weapons if Russia was hit with missiles and would consider any assault against it that is backed by a nuclear power to be a joint attack.
Helping Mr Zelensky continue a military campaign is a dangerous and irresponsible gamble, and announcing the new US$8 billion in military aid is “an incredible mistake and foolish act”, Ms Kim said.
Ms Kim, who holds a position in the ruling Workers’ Party in North Korea, often makes statements on Pyongyang’s position on political and security matters believed to be authorised by the country’s supreme leader.
North Korea and Russia have dramatically upgraded their ties in the past year, with their leaders meeting twice and agreeing on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” that includes a mutual defence pledge.
North Korea has shipped at least 16,500 containers of weapons to Russia since September 2023 and Russia has fired missiles from those shipments against Ukraine, the United States has said.
Both North Korea and Russia deny any illegal arms trade. REUTERS
