U.S. Secretary of State "If China, North Korea and Russia do not stop cooperation, South Korea, Japan will strengthen deterrence."

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken warned that if China does not use its influence in preventing North Korea-Russia cooperation in relation to the war in Ukraine, it will lead to stronger deterrence and defense capabilities between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan.

Asked about sending North Korean troops to Russia, Blinken said at a news conference of the G7 foreign ministers in Italy that China's role in influencing North Russia was essential to stop such activities.

He added that without such efforts, we will see countries in the Indo-Pacific region, especially on the Korean Peninsula, take additional measures to strengthen deterrence and defense capabilities.

He stressed that these additional measures would not be what China wants.

Blinken said he was particularly concerned about the support Russia can provide regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities, noting that all of this is to increase instability on the Korean Peninsula.