Foreign Minister Blinken Says Russia May Provide Space Technology For North Korea

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Twitter/@SecBlinken)

JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday hinted Moscow may plan to share advanced space and satellite technology with North Korea.

He conveyed this in a press statement with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul.

"The DPRK has received Russian military equipment and training. Now we have reason to believe that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with Pyongyang. Putin may soon reverse its decades-long policies by accepting the DPRK's nuclear weapons program," Foreign Minister Blinken said, using an acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. , reported The Korea Times January 6.

If that's true, it could help Pyongyang in advancing its goal of deploying multiple spy satellites to monitor its enemies.

These concerns follow allegations North Korea has sent about 11,000 troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine. South Korean intelligence agencies estimate about 100 of the army has been killed and another 1,000 injured.

Foreign Minister Cho told his side that the two sides would continue to work together to hinder North Korea's illegal military activities.

"We have exchanged deep views on North Korea's nuclear issues and illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. We agree on the importance of efforts to enforce UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea and uncover sanctions evasion activities to advance denuclearization goals," he explained.

High diplomats also condemned North Korea's latest missile provocation, which occurred during their meeting.

Prior to the lunch with Cho, Foreign Minister Blinken met with Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as deputy prime minister and finance minister.

Foreign Minister Blinken's visit marked the first trip to Seoul by top US officials since Yoon's impeachment.

His talks with Acting President Cho marked the first high-level engagement between the two allies.

It is known that Foreign Minister Blinken arrived in Korea on Sunday night. Apart from Seoul, he is on a series of trips to Japan and France which will be held this week.