Russia warns US, S. Korea, Japan against anti-North Korea pact

Lavrov arrived in North Korea’s eastern city of Wonsan on Friday to meet with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui.

The two officials held talks on deepening cooperation between the two countries, which have seen increasingly close relations amid shared opposition to Western influence.

North Korea has reportedly been supplying Russia with ammunition and even troops to support its war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang is believed to be receiving military and economic assistance from Moscow—a partnership that has sparked concern in Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo, particularly over the potential transfer of sensitive technology that could boost North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

Speaking after his meeting with Choe, Lavrov condemned what he called the growing military buildup by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan near North Korea.

"We warn against turning these partnerships into alliances directed against anyone—be it North Korea or Russia,” Lavrov said, according to Russian state-run news agency Tass.

The warning comes amid intensifying trilateral military cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, which held joint air drills on Friday involving U.S. nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula.

Top military officials from the three nations also met in Seoul, urging North Korea to stop its destabilizing activities and ongoing weapons development.

North Korea routinely condemns such military exercises as rehearsals for invasion, claiming that its nuclear weapons program is a necessary deterrent against U.S. hostility.

Lavrov voiced support for North Korea’s stance, saying the country’s nuclear program is the product of its own scientific development and reflects legitimate security concerns. “We understand why North Korea is pursuing nuclear capabilities and respect its right to self-defense,” he said.

During their talks, Choe reiterated North Korea’s unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling the bilateral relationship an “invincible alliance.”

Lavrov expressed appreciation for what he described as North Korea’s contribution to Russia’s defense efforts, including the deployment of troops to counter a Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk border region.

Lavrov also praised North Korea’s new Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort, where the meeting was held, and promoted the idea of boosting tourism between the two nations.

“We believe Russian tourists will be increasingly interested in visiting here, and we will work to support that—especially through air travel,” Lavrov said.

The Wonsan-Kalma zone is part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s strategy to develop tourism as a way to revitalize the country’s struggling economy.

However, North Korea’s strict border controls and limited engagement with Western countries continue to hinder the sector’s prospects, reports UNB.