"This crisis that is unfolding in the Middle East is related potentially to the situation on the Korean Peninsula," Park Jin, the South Korean foreign minister, said.
(November 9, 2023 / JNS) In a joint Nov. 9 press conference in Seoul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin were asked about Hamas’s alleged use of North Korean weapons in its brutal terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.
“Is there proof of direct cooperation between North Korea and Hamas?” asked Nike Ching, of Voice of America, asked the foreign minister. “If so, should we expect South Korean government to impose sanctions on North Korean entities and individuals that directly provide Hamas with weapons?”
Speaking via interpreter, Park said that Seoul is watching North Korean-Hamas relations closely. “Heavy weapons that are being used by Hamas, or the doctrine that’s being adopted by Hamas, or the military tactics—all of these aspects are something that we are keeping a close eye on.”
“If any relationship between them is revealed, then North Korea should be condemned accordingly,” the minister added. “This crisis that is unfolding in the Middle East is related potentially to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and that is a perspective that we’re having and are watching the Middle East situation.”
Ching asked Blinken what Washington believes “North Korea is getting in return regarding alleged North Korea weapons shipments to Russia?”
Blinken responded cooperation between Russia and North Korea “is a matter of deep concern for both of us, as well as for other countries around the world, and we’re seeing a two-way street.”
North Korea is providing military equipment to Russia “for pursuing its aggression against Ukraine,” and Russia is providing technology and support for North Korea’s military, according to Blinken.
“That’s a real concern for the security of the Korean Peninsula. It’s a real concern for global nonproliferation regimes. It’s a real concern for the Russian aggression in Ukraine. And a real concern for its violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions,” the U.S. secretary said.
Earlier in the press conference, the South Korean official condemned “strongly” the “indiscriminate attacks on Israel” but added that “a humanitarian pause is necessary” to stabilize the “Middle East situation” following a “sharp rise” in civilian casualties. He called on “parties concerned” to comply with “international humanitarian laws and take steps to protect civilians.” He also called for hostages to be released and for a two-state solution.
Blinken said Washington “appreciates Korea’s leadership in condemning Hamas’s terrorist attacks and in swiftly sending humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians.”
South Korea ratified a free-trade agreement with Israel last fall, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September.