Photo: EPA
The European Union has pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s more conciliatory approach to North Korea, stressing that Kim Jong Un’s regime remains a serious threat to regional and global security.
The EU’s position has not changed, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service said after Trump praised North Korea for behaving “without threats and with respect” since his return to office.
The spokesperson noted that North Korea continues to launch ballistic missiles and develop its nuclear program. The EU considers these activities a major security threat and has strengthened sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out in violation of UN resolutions.
Trump’s comments came after he ordered the Pentagon to significantly scale back joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises. He cited his relationship with Kim Jong Un and argued that the exercises are costly and send Pyongyang an “inappropriate and hostile” signal.
EU links North Korea to Russia’s war
Brussels also stressed that security on the Korean Peninsula is closely connected to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The EU condemned North Korea’s military cooperation with Moscow, including weapons supplies and the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Reports of the deployment of ballistic missiles that are used or will be used against Ukraine are of particular concern. North Korea and Russia must immediately end their illegal military cooperation,” the EU spokesperson said.
The bloc said it remains ready to work with international partners on a diplomatic process aimed at achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
