The summit on peace in Ukraine is scheduled to last two days from Saturday, bringing together officials from nearly 90 countries and organizations to discuss efforts towards ending the war that began nearly 28 months ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. Had attacked. Moscow will not participate, Yonhap news agency reports.
"The idea of discussing the Ukraine issue without involving Russia, a major party in the conflict, is absurd," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The statement comes amid increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, highlighted by Russian President Vladimir Putin's impending visit to North Korea.
The US, South Korea and other countries have accused North Korea of supplying artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced military technology and economic aid.Both North Korea and Russia have repeatedly denied the allegations.
North Korea criticized the US and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing them of using the summit to instigate war and confrontation.
"It is natural that the international community condemns this conspiratorial meeting, which has been held under the guise of peace but whose purpose is to incite conflict and war," KCNA said.
In response, Seoul's Unification Ministry questioned whether North Korea was qualified to criticize the international community's efforts to resolve the Ukraine issue.
Deputy Kim In-ae said, "We must question whether North Korea, which has supported Russia's illegal aggression and disrupted international norms through illegal arms deals, should be held accountable to the justice of Ukraine and the international community. Efforts to maintain have the right to be insulted." Ministry spokesperson during a press conference.
A South Korean presidential official indicated that Putin was expected to visit North Korea "in a few days." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that Putin may visit North Korea "as early as next week" as part of a tour that will also include a stop in Vietnam.
However, Moscow declined to comment on the exact date of the visit.
Seoul's Unification Ministry reiterated its call on Russia to act responsibly as a permanent member of the UN Security Council."Exchanges and cooperation between Russia and North Korea should comply with relevant Security Council resolutions and proceed in a way that contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Kim said.
"The idea of discussing the Ukraine issue without involving Russia, a major party in the conflict, is absurd," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The statement comes amid increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, highlighted by Russian President Vladimir Putin's impending visit to North Korea.
The US, South Korea and other countries have accused North Korea of supplying artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced military technology and economic aid.Both North Korea and Russia have repeatedly denied the allegations.
North Korea criticized the US and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing them of using the summit to instigate war and confrontation.
"It is natural that the international community condemns this conspiratorial meeting, which has been held under the guise of peace but whose purpose is to incite conflict and war," KCNA said.
In response, Seoul's Unification Ministry questioned whether North Korea was qualified to criticize the international community's efforts to resolve the Ukraine issue.
Deputy Kim In-ae said, "We must question whether North Korea, which has supported Russia's illegal aggression and disrupted international norms through illegal arms deals, should be held accountable to the justice of Ukraine and the international community. Efforts to maintain have the right to be insulted." Ministry spokesperson during a press conference.
A South Korean presidential official indicated that Putin was expected to visit North Korea "in a few days." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that Putin may visit North Korea "as early as next week" as part of a tour that will also include a stop in Vietnam.
However, Moscow declined to comment on the exact date of the visit.
Seoul's Unification Ministry reiterated its call on Russia to act responsibly as a permanent member of the UN Security Council."Exchanges and cooperation between Russia and North Korea should comply with relevant Security Council resolutions and proceed in a way that contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Kim said.
