Presidential Office: Condemnation of North Korea-Russia Military Ties Reflects Established Stance... Not Contrary to Tension Reduction

The Office of the President stated on the 13th (local time) that the recent joint statement by South Korea and the European Union (EU), condemning the growing military ties between North Korea and Russia, reflects “the position we have maintained so far.”

A senior presidential official made these remarks at a briefing room in Rome, Italy, where President Lee Jae-myung is on a state visit, telling reporters, “The EU may have somewhat stronger views,” but affirmed the existing stance.

President Lee Jae-myung, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, are leaving the press conference room after a joint press briefing at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 10 (local time). June 11, 2026, Yonhap News Agency. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On June 10, President Lee, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, adopted a joint statement after their summit in Brussels, declaring that they “strongly condemn the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.” The statement also included language asserting that North Korea will never be recognized as a nuclear-armed state.

The official said, “The positions on military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, as well as the stance on North Korean human rights, are simply reiterations of what the Korean government has already made clear, as reflected in the statement. The same applies to the North Korean nuclear issue. There is nothing new.”

The official further explained, “I do not believe this will newly burden the relationship between Russia and North Korea,” adding, “It is simply a summary of the positions we have expressed thus far.” He particularly emphasized, “Although I cannot disclose all of the details of our consultations, there are many areas where the EU holds even stronger positions than ours.”

Additionally, the official refuted the suggestion that South Korea’s firm principles on the North Korean nuclear issue contradict its approach to easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, stating, “That is not the case.” He went on to say, “These two are always simultaneous objectives—making our principles clear in pursuit of denuclearization, while also striving for peace and the reduction of tensions.”

Meanwhile, when asked whether a South Korea-U.S. summit could take place during President Lee’s visit to France for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, the official responded, “A meeting could occur if the opportunity arises, but it is difficult to comment on the likelihood at this time.”

Regarding the situation between the United States and Iran, the official said, “We do not have detailed intelligence,” but added, “There appear to be signs of movement toward a ceasefire agreement. We sense that both sides are approaching a ceasefire.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.