North Korea warns of strong 'counteraction' in response to NATO declaration

NATO condemn Pyongyang's arms exports to Russia, expresses 'great concern' about deepening partnership

PYONGYANG:

North Korea on Saturday denounced a NATO summit declaration that condemned its weapons exports to Russia, calling it "illegal" and warned of strong "strategic counteraction."

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the statement after a NATO summit in Washington concluded where leaders of the 32-member alliance and four Indo-Pacific partners -- South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- discussed concerns about growing military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The declaration that was issued Wednesday stressed that North Korea's export of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia violates numerous UN Security Council resolutions.

NATO also expressed "great concern" about the deepening partnership between North Korea and Russia.

Read: More than 40 UN members denounce Russia's 'illegal' arms transfers to North Korea

In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the spokesperson said the declaration incites a new Cold War and military confrontation, Yonhap News reported.

He said that the situation requires a new strategy to counter US attempts to expand its military alliances.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) vowed to deter aggression and defend peace with stronger strategic counteractions, according to the statement.