▲ John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Feb. 13, 2024 in this photo released by AFP. (Yonhap)

US-NK threats

U.S. takes N.K. weapons development efforts 'very seriously': White House official

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- The United States takes North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's efforts to advance sophisticated weapons systems "very seriously," a White House official said Tuesday, amid concerns that growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang could complicate deterrence efforts by Seoul and Washington.

John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, made the remarks as Pyongyang and Moscow have deepened military ties as evidenced by the former's supplies of weapons to the latter for use in Ukraine and the two sides' senior-level engagements.

"We take the continued efforts by Kim Jong-un to advance and develop sophisticated weapons systems and capabilities very very seriously. We have to," Kirby told a press briefing.

"We also take our alliance with the Republic of Korea very very seriously, which is why as I said many times, the president has added resources, added capabilities, really invested more in deepening our bilateral relationship with South Korea and our trilateral relationship with South Korea and Japan," he added.

Commenting on a recent New York Times report that Russia has allowed the release of millions of dollars in frozen North Korean assets, Kirby refused to confirm it.

"I can't confirm those reports that they've actually made those financial transactions and certainly wouldn't be able to speculate about what motivated him," he said. "But obviously, we're deeply concerned about the continuing burgeoning defense relationship between North Korea and Russia."

Citing American-allied intelligence officials, the newspaper reported last week that Russia has allowed the release of $9 million out of $30 million in frozen North Korean assets deposited in a Russian financial institution.

The reported move raised speculation that Russia's action might have been taken in return for the North's weapons support to Moscow.

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