(Yonhap Interview) Top NATO military officer says N. Korea-Russia cooperation driven by self-interest ‘more than anything else’

A top NATO military officer has said that military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a "deeply flawed exchange of self-interest" amid concerns over North Korea's alleged provision of arms to Russia to fuel its war against Ukraine. Earlier this month, a U.S. state department official said Russia secured more than 16,500 containers of munitions and military supplies from North Korea since September last year. Moscow and Pyongyang have appeared to cement their growing ties, with President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signing a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty that includes a mutual defense clause during their June summit in Pyongyang. Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee, said North Korea is moving out of isolation into a new role, where it has suddenly become necessary to help a big nation, Russia. Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, speaks during an interview w ith Yonhap News Agency on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue conference in central Seoul on Sept. 11, 2024. (Yonhap) Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue conference in central Seoul on Sept. 11, 2024. (Yonhap) "They are emboldened by the fact that ... Russia needs them," the Dutch admiral said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday on the sidelines of a security conference in Seoul. "As long as Russia is trying to achieve those ambitions, they might need the help of other authoritarian states like North Korea, and then it might last longer," he said, referring to Russia's war ambitions and its cooperation with North Korea. "But it is still based on interests more than anything else." South Korean officials suspect the North is receiving food, other necessities and military technologies from Russia in return for its delivery of arms, which c ould amount to millions of artillery shells. Bauer said it is unclear what North Korea is receiving in return for the transfer of arms but noted if they are receiving advanced military technologies or weapons systems, it would add to the threats faced by South Korea. "In general, I think it's not good news because North Korea probably should remain a very isolated nation, given their intentions and ambitions," he said. Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue conference in central Seoul on Sept. 11, 2024. (Yonhap) Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue conference in central Seoul on Sept. 11, 2024. (Yonhap) North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, in the latest sign of its def iance of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology. In the face of growing threats from the North, South Korea has sought to reinforce deterrence by strengthening international security cooperation, such as bolstering ties with NATO. Last year, South Korea and NATO adopted the Individually Tailored Partnership Program to increase cooperation to include dialogue and consultations to promote mutual understanding on common security threats. "It is now to both of us, South Korea and NATO, to look where we can practically work together and achieve results that are beneficial for both," Bauer said. South Korea, a NATO partner in the Indo-Pacific region, has stepped up cooperation with the 32-member military alliance, joining NATO-led cyber defense drills, as well as the two sides signing an agreement on a mutual recognition process for military airworthiness certification in July. Bauer also hailed South Korea's support for Ukraine as "fantastic," which has so far consisted of non-lethal aid, such as mine clearing equipment and other supplies. Regarding South Korea's policy to not send lethal aid to Ukraine, he called the decision a sovereign one that nobody will say is right or wrong. Source: Yonhap News Agency