North Korea-Russia arms trade a global threat, Yoon says: summary

What we know

• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has stated that North Korea's arms trade with Russia poses a threat to global peace and stability.
• Yoon made these remarks in Hawaii, where he emphasised the significance of the combined defence posture of U.S. and South Korean forces during discussions with Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
• Yoon made a stop in Hawaii en route to Washington to attend a NATO summit, where he will represent one of the four Asia-Pacific partners.
• Yoon expressed growing concerns over North Korea's military buildup, noting that these worries have intensified following the signing of a mutual defence agreement with Russia last month.
• Yoon has cautioned Russia about its growing military ties with North Korea. According to Seoul and Washington, North Korea has been providing artillery and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine, a claim both Moscow and Pyongyang deny.

What they said

"North Korea threatens peace not only on the Korean peninsula but also globally by engaging in illegal weapons trade with Russia. In order to protect our freedom and democracy and economic prosperity from these reckless elements, solidarity among countries that share values, as well as strength, is essential," Yoon said in his remarks to U.S. military leaders and troops in a Reuters report.