US Ambassador Worried Russia Receives North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program

President Putin when welcoming North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - The United States voiced concerns over Russia's acceptance of North Korea's nuclear weapons program at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, as Moscow and Pyongyang defended the close cooperation between the two countries.

This was conveyed by the US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield while attending a board meeting. Previously, Russia's Supreme Diplomat said Moscow views North Korea's idea of denuclearization as a closed matter.

"What's worrying, we think, is that Russia may almost accept North Korea's nuclear weapons program, which reverses Moscow's decades-long commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said.

"We believe Moscow will be more reluctant not only to criticize Pyongyang's development of nuclear weapons, but also to further hinder the passage of sanctions or resolutions condemning North Korea's unstable behavior," he explained.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in September Moscow viewed North Korea's idea of "denuclearization" as a closed problem, because it understood Pyongyang's logic of relying on nuclear weapons as its defense basis.

South Korea and Britain have both criticized Lavrov's statement, saying he has undermined the global nonproliferation regime.

British Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations James Kariuki described Lavrov's comments as "reckless deviation from agreed principles of complete, verifiable, and irreversible weapons cuts."

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia did not refer to North Korea's nuclear program, when he addressed the council.

He defended the growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as Russia's sovereign right.

"Russia's cooperation with the DPRK is in accordance with international law, not a violation against it," he said, using the acronym for North Korea's official name.

"This is not aimed at any third country. It poses no threat to countries in the region or the international community, and we have no doubt we will continue to develop such cooperation," he added.

North Korea for the United Nations Kim Song described a closer relationship with Russia as "a positive contribution to international peace and security."

Citing what Pyongyang sees as a US-led nuclear-based military bloc in the region, he also said: "The breakdown of the nuclear war in Northeast Asia is no longer a possibility, but a matter of time."

In turn, South Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Joonkook Hwang warned the Security Council to "expect further uncertainty overshadowing the horizon", ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump taking office for a second term next month.

"North Korea has a history of provocative action during the US presidential transition, designed to attract attention, raise stakes, and set the stage for direct negotiations with the new US administration," Hwang said.

"This pattern can be repeated in the next few months. This time it could be the launch of an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) or a military satellite or even the seventh nuclear test," he said.

It is known that Russia has been in closer diplomatic and military relations with North Korea since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have visited each other.

Pyongyang itself has been under UN Security Council sanctions since 2006. The sanctions have continued to be strengthened for years with the aim of halting the development of Pyongyang nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.