Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a visit to North Korea on Saturday, cautioned the United States, South Korea, and Japan against forming a security alliance that targets North Korea. The warning came as Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the eastern city of Wonsan to further deepen ties between the two nations.
Lavrov’s visit underscored the growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea, particularly in the military and economic domains. In recent years, their partnership has strengthened, with North Korea reportedly providing munitions and troops in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang is believed to be receiving military aid and economic support from Moscow — a development that has alarmed Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.
There are rising concerns that this relationship could lead to Russia transferring advanced military technologies to North Korea, potentially advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with North Korea’s foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, Lavrov condemned what he described as military buildups by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan near North Korean borders.
“We warn against using these partnerships to build alliances that threaten others, including North Korea and Russia,” Lavrov stated, as reported by Russia’s state-owned Tass news agency.
In recent months, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan have revived trilateral military drills in response to North Korea’s expanding nuclear arsenal. On Friday, the three countries conducted joint air exercises involving U.S. nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula, while top military leaders gathered in Seoul urging North Korea to halt actions that undermine regional stability.
North Korea routinely views such large-scale drills as preparation for invasion and claims its nuclear weapons program is a necessary defense against U.S. aggression. Lavrov, echoing that stance, said Russia respects North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and understands its rationale. He emphasized that the country’s weapons programs are the work of its own scientists.
During the discussions, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe reaffirmed Pyongyang’s unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Lavrov, in turn, expressed appreciation for the North Korean troops reportedly involved in resisting Ukrainian operations near Russia’s Kursk region.
The high-level meeting took place in Wonsan, a coastal city where North Korea recently unveiled a massive beach resort capable of hosting up to 20,000 visitors. Lavrov praised the development and expressed confidence that Russian tourists would be increasingly drawn to the destination. He added that Russia would work to establish the necessary infrastructure, including air links, to facilitate tourism.
The Wonsan-Kalma tourism zone is central to Kim Jong Un’s vision to revive North Korea’s struggling economy through tourism. However, its future remains uncertain, as North Korea continues to maintain tight border controls and remains largely closed off to international — especially Western — visitors.
