Vice Defense Minister Kim Sun-ho said, "Cooperation and development with ASEAN...Russia condemns illegal military cooperation"

Deputy Defense Minister Kim Sun-ho expressed his government's position on international security issues, including Korean Peninsula issues, and emphasized its willingness to develop cooperation with ASEAN in the defense sector at the 11th ASEAN Extended Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus) held in Laos yesterday (21st).

Vice Minister Kim Sun-ho strongly condemned North Korea's spraying of filth balloons, successive launches of ICBMs, and recent all-round military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, saying it is illegal activities that threaten the Korean Peninsula and world peace.

He then urged the international community to act firmly in solidarity, saying that North Korean troops' dispatch to Russia is an act of collusion against illegal aggression and a blatant violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning military cooperation with North Korea.

In addition, he stressed that he will expand cooperation with ASEAN in various fields such as maritime security and defense and county heads in order to realize the human region of freedom, peace and prosperity based on ASEAN centrality this year by "elevating comprehensive strategic partnership" between Korea and ASEAN.