Blinken slams N. Korea-Russia arms deal during his visit to S. Korea

블링컨 “북러 군사협력 쌍방향 中에 역할 촉구“ A two-way street. This is how Washington’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken described strengthened ties between North Korea and Russia. Such words came from a joint press conference after having talks with South Korea’s top diplomat Park Jin where they stressed the need to together, intensify pressure on Moscow regarding its military technology transfer. Blinken visited South Korea after having stayed in Japan for G7 foreign ministerial meetings, and now he is in India, showing Washington’s intense focus on the Indo-Pacific region. How did experts see Blinken’s visit to Seoul and what are the recent updates on North Korea? For this, we invited Doctor Go Myong-hyun, Senior Fellow from Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Welcome, Doctor Go. We also have Bruce Klingner, Senior Research Fellow from the Heritage Foundation. Good to see you again, Mister Klingner. (GO) Q1. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Japan, South Korea, and India amid a number of global challenges, including the Israel-Hamas war. Experts say this demonstrates that the United States remains focused on the Indo-Pacific region. Why is this important? (KLINGNER) Q2. Blinken’s trip to Seoul is his first under the Yoon administration what significance does this have? (GO) Q3. Blinken pointed out that Russia is providing “technology and support“ for North Korea’s military programs, and he reportedly discussed ways to intensify pressure on Moscow with Foreign Minister Park Jin. What can be done? (KLINGNER) Q4. The two top diplomats further highlighted the importance of China’s constructive role against North Korea getting closer to Moscow while saying it will not serve China’s interests if their bilateral ties get stronger. What do such words suggest? (GO) Q5. Both sides agreed to step up extended deterrence measures against North Korea. This comes after a report saying that the U.S. had deployed more strategic assets than ever this year. What further measures could be implemented to upgrade extended deterrence? (KLINGNER) Q6. Defense chiefs of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan are expected to hold a meeting before next week’s Security Consultative Meeting which will be the first stand-alone defense ministerial meeting between the three countries. One of the main agenda items is reported to be over details of a real-time missile data-sharing system. What would this mean? (GO) Q7. Staying on trilateral cooperation, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan agreed to launch a high-level cyber consultation group as a follow-up measure to an agreement reached during the Camp David Summit. Why is it important to block North Korea’s cyber crimes, and what do you expect the group to do? (KLINGNER) Q8. North Korea has designated November 18th as “Missile Industry Day“ to commemorate the successful test launch of the regime’s Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile last year. What is intended by the designation and is this the first time Pyongyang has done something like this? (GO) Q9. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North may make a third attempt to launch a military spy satellite on “Missile Industry Day.“ What are the chances of this happening? (KLINGNER) Q10. Meanwhile, North Korea shut down several diplomatic missions including its embassies in Spain, Italy, and some countries on the African continent. Some say this is due to economic difficulties and added there could be further shutdowns. What is your view on this? (GO) Q11. Yet, The National Intelligence Service said there have been signs of North Korea pushing for a new consulate. Many say it could perhaps be established in a Russia-friendly country. We will have to see how it goes, but where could it be, and what would it mean? Thank you Doctor Go and Mr. Klingner for your time and insights. We appreciate it.