North Korea decries "illegal" joint NATO declaration

North Korea has condemned a recent NATO declaration that criticizes Pyongyang's arms exports to Russia.

The secretive nation, which has strengthened its military ties with Russia in recent years, labelled the document as "illegal", Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

North Korea's foreign ministry "strongly denounces and rejects" the NATO declaration. A spokesperson from the ministry stated that the declaration "provokes a new Cold War and global military confrontation" and necessitates "new forms of counteraction."

The joint declaration, issued by NATO members in Washington DC this week, accused North Korea of "supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine" by providing direct military assistance to Moscow.

The alliance leaders also expressed deep concern over China's industrial support for Russia.

Both North Korea and Russia have consistently denied allegations that North Korea supplied missiles and ammunition to support Russia's actions in Ukraine. However, in June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement committing to mutual military support.

Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States agreed on guidelines for an integrated deterrence system against North Korea's nuclear and military threats during the NATO summit.

Relations between North and South Korea have deteriorated significantly, with Seoul suspending a military agreement aimed at reducing tensions and resuming live-fire drills near the border in response to provocative actions from the North.

North Korea has conducted multiple ballistic missile tests, including tests of missiles capable of carrying large warheads, in response to joint military exercises by South Korea, the United States, and Japan in the region. Some analysts suggest that North Korea's missile tests resemble those used by Russia, raising concerns about increased military cooperation between the two countries.