North Korea Accuses U.S. of Slander Over Russia Partnership—Is This the Beginning of a New Cold War?

North Korea has rejected a joint statement issued by ten nations, including the United States, South Korea, and the European Union (EU), condemning military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. The regime claims the statement distorts the nature of their legitimate partnership and amounts to slander.

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, through state media, that the joint condemnation is a grave threat to global peace and security that goes beyond mere political provocation and violates the sovereignty of independent nations.

The spokesperson argued that the “hysterical reaction” of hostile forces to North Korea-Russia relations proves that stronger cooperation between sovereign states is crucial for maintaining a power balance that deters U.S. and Western expansion, thereby protecting world peace and security.

Aiming at the Biden administration, the spokesperson suggested that as the current U.S. leadership exits the world stage, it should consider who truly benefits from its diplomatic legacy.

The statement warned that as long as Washington clings to outdated strategies and ignores new realities, it will continue to fail in its dealings with North Korea and face mounting challenges.

Pyongyang emphasized its commitment to defending its sovereign rights without restriction and pledged to continue efforts to safeguard regional and global stability.

While insisting that North Korea-Russia cooperation is a justified response to U.S. and allied threats, the spokesperson notably avoided specific mention of North Korean troop deployments to Russia.

Yang Moo Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, analyzed the statement as an attempt to legitimize closer North Korea-Russia ties and troop deployments by invoking sovereignty and non-interference principles. He suggested it also serves as an indirect message to the incoming Trump administration, urging the abandonment of hostile policies before any diplomatic engagement.

A coalition including the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and several European nations issued a strongly-worded joint statement condemning the escalating military cooperation between North Korea and Russia on Monday, particularly the alleged deployment of North Korean forces to Ukraine.