The meeting between the leaders of South Korea and New Zealand was held to strengthen their bilateral ties, during which they strongly criticized the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Seoul for the first time since assuming office in November, joining South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in denouncing North Korea’s export of ballistic missiles to Russia, breaching U.N. Security Council resolutions. The joint statement emphasized their utmost condemnation of North Korea’s illegal nuclear and missile programs, as well as Russia’s actions in the war against Ukraine, affirming their support for Ukrainian sovereignty and peace efforts.
Yoon and Luxon also agreed to initiate a regular economic security dialogue to address various challenges and opportunities. They highlighted the significance of enhancing trade and economic relations, citing a twofold increase in the two-way trade volume between South Korea and New Zealand over the last ten years. Concerns have been raised by the U.S., South Korea, and other allies regarding North Korea’s alleged supply of conventional arms to Russia to assist in its invasion of Ukraine, a deal further solidified by a mutual military assistance pact signed between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in June.
