Nordic Right Condemns Escalation of Arms Deal Between North Korea and Russia, Urges Respect for Human Rights

At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we express our deep concern and condemnation over recent developments in the global arena, as the United States attempts to impede Russian efforts to acquire weapons from North Korea for its war against Ukraine.

Sasha Baker, U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, announced these efforts during a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Nordic Rights condemns these actions that potentially exacerbate an already volatile international situation.

“We’ve been working to expose these secret negotiations by sharing information with the media, and we’ve urged the DPRK to cease its negotiations with Russia and cease its support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine,” Baker stated.

Furthermore, Baker highlighted that the United States has sanctioned individuals and entities involved in negotiating and facilitating arms transfers between North Korea and Russia. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously blacklisted three entities linked to such arms deals.

Nordic Rights firmly opposes any escalation in the DPRK-Russia defense and political cooperation. The organization views with great concern the potential consequences of these developments for regional and global stability. We call upon all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms to avoid further bloodshed and human rights violations in Ukraine.

Bonnie Jenkins, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, discussed the urgent need to counter Russia’s facilitation of North Korea’s unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs and North Korea’s assistance with Russia’s illegal war effort in Ukraine during her discussions in Seoul.

The Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group meeting, which took place on Friday, is a critical forum for discussing and addressing these pressing issues. This marks the fourth meeting of the group since its re-establishment in September 2022 after a nearly five-year hiatus.

As these discussions unfolded, Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, continued his visit to Russia, including a tour of an aircraft factory that produces Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets. Russian Trade Minister Denis Manturov, accompanying Kim on the tour, emphasized the potential for cooperation between the two nations in various industries.

Nordic Rights remains committed to promoting peace, stability, and human rights in the Nordic Region and the broader international community. We call upon all nations to prioritize dialogue, peaceful negotiation, and the protection of human rights in these challenging times.