The senior U.S. State Department official for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jung Pak, has expressed concern over North Korea’s growing arms trade and its potential impact on China. Pak emphasized that China should be alarmed by North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia, including the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russian forces in Ukraine.
“The DPRK issue is China’s problem, as well,” Pak stated. “It’s not just our problem. China has a role to play and it has influence.” She also highlighted the frustration in Washington over China’s reluctance to influence North Korea’s behavior, despite being its primary supporter.
This development comes in the wake of a series of concerning actions by North Korea. In February, the country launched its fourth series of cruise missiles in two weeks, following Kim Jong Un’s call to intensify “war preparations.” This has raised concerns and further underlined the urgency of the situation.
However, the U.S. has been attempting to engage with North Korea diplomatically. In a recent move, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan expressed his intention to hold a summit with Kim Jong Un to discuss the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, a move that has been supported by the U.S.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, there is still no evidence of a new, more aggressive stance towards South Korea from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pak also expressed support for Japan’s reported efforts to hold a summit with Kim on the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
When asked about potential progress on the North Korea issue due to the recent U.S.-China collaboration following the meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Pak said it was “too soon to say.”
The concern over North Korea’s arms trade and its potential impact on China highlights the complex dynamics in the region. It underscores the need for continued diplomatic efforts and cooperation among all parties involved to address the growing threat posed by North Korea’s weapons program.
