UN members concerned China, Russia helping North Korea: US defence chief

The UN states and South Korea vowed a united response to any aggression or attacks by North Korea on the south

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday (Nov 14) UN member states enforcing the Korean War armistice were concerned that China and Russia were helping North Korea expand its military capabilities by enabling Pyongyang to evade UN sanctions.

The UN states and South Korea vowed a united response to any aggression or attacks by North Korea on the south, they said in a statement at the Seoul meeting attended by Austin and defence officials of the 17 countries that make up the UN Command (UNC), the body that oversees the armistice.

"We are deeply concerned that the PRC and Russia are helping the DPRK expand its capabilities by enabling it to evade sanctions from the UN Security Council," Austin said, referring to the People's Republic of China and North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"We're also troubled by the recent growth in military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK," he said.

Washington has accused North Korea of supplying military equipment to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, and Moscow of providing technical military support to help the North.

North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, though their leaders pledged closer military cooperation when they met in September in Russia's far east.