Putin does not rule out sending weapons to N. Korea

US says it is 'incredibly concerning' as it threatens stability on Korean peninsula

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Mr Vladimir Putin said on June 20 that he does not rule out Russia sending arms to isolated North Korea in what Washington called an "incredibly concerning" statement that threatens instability on the divided Korean peninsula.

On a trip to Vietnam, following a state visit to Pyongyang where Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defence pact, the Russian President also warned South Korea not to arm Ukraine.

He said prospects of Moscow providing weapons to North Korea are repercussions for the West arming Kyiv, which is fighting a Russian invasion now in its third year.

"Those who send these (missiles to Ukraine) think that they are not fighting us, but I said that we then reserve the right to supply weapons to other regions of the world, with regard to our agreements with the DPRK," he said, using the initiaIs of North Korea's official name. "I do not rule this one out." South Korea on June 20 called Russia's treaty with the North a "grave concern", with a senior official saying Seoul would reconsider its policy of not sending arms directly to Ukraine.

Mr Putin brushed off the response, saying: "South Korea has nothing to worry about." But he warned Seoul not to supply weapons to Kyiv, saying: "This would be a very big mistake." The US expressed deep unease over his threat to send weapons to Pyongyang, warning that it could destabilise the Korean peninsula.