Ahead of Putin's Visit to North Korea, US: We're Keeping a Close Eye on It

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby (ANTARA/Anadolu)

JAKARTA - President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang this week and Putin's visit is very worrying for the United States (US).

The US voiced its concerns about the "deepening" Russia-North Korea relationship

"We are not worried about his visit. What I am worried about is the deepening relationship between the two countries," National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said at a press conference.

"This is not only because of the impact on the Ukrainian people, because we know North Korean ballistic missiles are still being used to attack Ukrainian targets, but also because there is a potential for reciprocity here that could affect security on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

"At this point, we don't see the parameters of all that, but we'll certainly be watching it very, very closely," he added.

Analysts say Putin is looking to North Korea for weapons because spare parts are very hard to get for Moscow due to Western sanctions.

Kirby said Putin's visit to North Korea was not a surprise.

The Kremlin had previously said Putin would make a two-day visit to North Korea from Tuesday (18/6) at the invitation of the North Korean leader. Kim Jong Un.

From North Korea, Putin will head to Vietnam for a two-day state visit.

Putin first visited North Korea in 2000, when he met with Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il.

North Korea's current leader, Kim Jong Un, met Putin in Russia's Far East in September 2023.