The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America have issued a joint statement regarding recent sanctions on North Korea (DPRK) and Russia. The statement emphasizes that these sanctions represent a coordinated effort to hold both nations accountable for their involvement in the unlawful transfer of arms from DPRK to Russia for use in attacking Ukraine.
"Our governments stand in resolute opposition to these continued arms transfers," the statement reads. It further notes that Russia has used these arms to strike Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, thereby prolonging the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
The ministers expressed grave concern over the deepening cooperation between DPRK and Russia, which they claim violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. They also condemned Russia's veto of a UN Security Council resolution intended to extend the mandate of the UN 1718 Committee Panel of Experts. "By the use of its veto, Russia has sought to deprive all UN Member States of the objective and independent information and guidance they need to implement binding Security Council resolutions concerning DPRK which all remain in effect," stated the officials.
The joint statement calls on DPRK and Russia to cease unlawful arms transfers. It urges DPRK to take concrete steps towards abandoning all nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and related programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. Additionally, it encourages DPRK to respond positively to numerous diplomatic offers aimed at achieving enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.
