Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a direct warning on Saturday to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, urging them not to form a security alliance aimed at North Korea. His remarks came during an official visit to the country, where he seeks to strengthen growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Lavrov arrived in North Korea on Friday and met with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui, in the coastal city of Wonsan. The meeting is part of a broader effort to solidify strategic cooperation between the two nations, which have deepened their military collaboration in recent years. North Korea has reportedly provided soldiers and munitions to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, in exchange for economic aid and military technology from Moscow.
This partnership has raised concerns in Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo, who fear that Russia could transfer advanced military technologies to Pyongyang—potentially escalating North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Following his meeting with Choe on Saturday, Lavrov accused the U.S. and its Asian allies of amassing military power in the region and warned them against turning their cooperation into hostile coalitions. “We advise against using these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia,” Lavrov told reporters, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have ramped up trilateral military drills in response to North Korea’s advancing weapons programs. On Friday, the three nations conducted joint air maneuvers involving U.S. nuclear-capable bombers, while top military officials met in Seoul and urged Pyongyang to halt its illegal activities that threaten regional stability.
North Korea, for its part, continues to portray these exercises as rehearsals for invasion. It has long argued that its pursuit of nuclear weapons is a necessary defense against perceived threats from the United States.
Lavrov echoed this sentiment, saying Russia understands North Korea’s decision to develop nuclear weapons. “The technologies North Korea uses are the result of its own scientists’ efforts. We respect their aspirations and understand the reasons behind their nuclear development,” he said.
During the talks, Choe Son Hui reaffirmed North Korea’s “unconditional” support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and described the bond between the two countries as “an invincible alliance.” Lavrov, in turn, expressed gratitude for North Korea’s military assistance, particularly highlighting its troop contributions in defending Russia’s Kursk region near the Ukrainian border.
The meeting took place in Wonsan, where North Korea recently inaugurated a massive resort complex reportedly capable of accommodating up to 20,000 visitors. Lavrov praised the site’s potential as a destination for Russian tourists: “I’m confident that more and more Russian tourists will want to come here. We will do everything possible to facilitate that, including improving air transport,” he said, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is a key part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s strategy to boost the country’s struggling economy through tourism. However, the outlook for the massive project remains uncertain, as the isolated regime has yet to fully reopen its borders and seems unlikely to welcome Western tourists anytime soon.
