G7 urges N.Korea, Russia to 'Cease Unlawful Arms Transfers'

The G7 has condemned the increasing arms cooperation between Russia and North Korea, urging them to halt illegal transfers used in the Ukraine conflict.

The G7 foreign ministers have expressed grave concern over the growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea, especially regarding arms transfers from Pyongyang to Moscow for use in the Ukraine conflict. This collaboration violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In a statement issued by Italy, the current G7 president, the ministers called on North Korea and Russia to halt these illegal arms transfers. The statement, also backed by South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union, emphasized a coordinated effort to impose sanctions on entities involved in these transfers.

The G7 highlighted that Russia has used North Korean ballistic missiles to target Ukraine's critical infrastructure, exacerbating the suffering of the Ukrainian people. A recent Pentagon report confirmed the use of North Korean missiles in Ukraine through debris analysis.

South Korea has accused North Korea of sending large quantities of munitions to Russia, in clear violation of UN sanctions. Despite North Korea’s denial of these allegations, experts believe the country's recent missile tests may be intended for the Ukrainian battlefield.

UN sanctions prohibit North Korea from conducting ballistic missile tests. However, Russia’s use of its UN Security Council veto in March has effectively halted UN monitoring of these violations, an action for which North Korea has thanked Russia.

The G7 ministers urged North Korea to cease its unlawful activities and take steps towards denuclearization. They also called for North Korea to engage in diplomacy to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.