South Korea, Japan, US forge closer security alliance following Putin-Kim summit

South Korea, Japan, and the US have agreed on "close" security cooperation through "timely" consultation after Russia and North Korea signed a new security treaty this week.

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remarks following back-to-back phone calls with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Caliber.Az reports citing Korean media.

On June 19, North Korea and Russia inked a partnership agreement in Pyongyang, vowing to provide each other military assistance "without delay" if a third country attacks either.

Cho said on June 22: "In response to North Korea's threats, we agreed to strengthen the robust South Korean alliance and security cooperation among the South, the US and Japan, while closely working together to lead stern responses of the international community.

“I think that it is meaningful that we sent a strong message under close cooperation through timely consultation with the friendly countries of the US and Japan," he added.

Cho made the phone calls from New York, where he was to attend a UN Security Council meeting this week on cybersecurity. Cho presided over the council meeting as South Korea holds this month's rotating Security Council presidency.