US: China is Concerned About Recent Defense Agreement Between Russia and North Korea

The US Deputy Secretary of State stated that following Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Pyongyang, China, despite its alliance with Russia, is worried about the North Korean regime becoming more aggressive and creating a regional crisis. Kurt Campbell added on Monday, June 24, that China has indicated in communications with the US that it is 'disturbed' by last week's visit of the Russian President and the defense agreement between Russia and North Korea. In part of his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, he said, 'I think it’s fair to say that China is probably concerned about North Korea being encouraged to take provocative actions that could lead to a crisis in Northeast Asia.' The Deputy Secretary of State elaborated on his view regarding the increase in small military confrontations at the borders of the two Koreas, as well as North Korea's 'provocative tone' and 'determined' stance in avoiding diplomacy with the US. He added that Washington believes Russia is seeking broader support for North Korea, potentially even in the nuclear arena. Kurt Campbell stated, 'These are dangerous events, and we are monitoring them closely.' North Korea's government has been sanctioned by multiple UN resolutions due to its nuclear activities and missile programs, but by sending munitions to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, it has now gained support from that country, which holds veto power in the Security Council. The military agreement signed by the leaders of Russia and North Korea last week includes mutual assistance in the event of military attacks. Some experts view this agreement as a return to the level of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang during the Cold War. China has been North Korea's most important economic and political partner over the past decades but has sought to maintain its relations with Pyongyang at a limited level in recent years. This country has not publicly commented on Vladimir Putin's recent visit and the defense agreement between Russia and North Korea. Washington has also accused the Chinese government of supporting Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, although the US believes Beijing has not directly provided weapons and munitions to Moscow so far. In another part of his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Kurt Campbell said that although China and Russia are united in their hostility towards the West, their policies regarding not only North Korea but also Beijing's relations with the former Soviet republics in Central Asia differ. The Deputy Secretary of State added, 'I think it is likely that tensions between Moscow and Beijing will re-emerge in the future.' He noted that in the short term, China has the upper hand and may seek assistance from Moscow in areas such as submarine production and other technologies where Russia is still more advanced.