TOKYO, December 19. /TASS/. The hysteria in the US and Western countries over cooperation between North Korea and Russia underscores the effectiveness of this interaction in maintaining a balance of power and deterring Washington and its allies, a representative of the North Korean Foreign Ministry said, commenting on remarks made by the G7 and several Western nations regarding Moscow-Pyongyang cooperation.

"The hysteria of hostile forces over North Korea-Russia relations shows that strengthened interactions between independent sovereign states effectively ensure the balance of power needed to deter the expansion of malicious US and Western forces and to protect global peace and security," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The agency emphasized that North Korea remains resolute in "consistently defending and exercising its legitimate rights as a sovereign state" and will "continue making significant efforts to safeguard peace and security in the region and the world."

North Korea's Foreign Ministry has criticized the G7 and several Western countries, labeling them "a bunch of thugs," for their statements on cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The ministry expressed strong protest, asserting that these remarks distort the nature of the relations.

"Recently, the US, alongside G7 member states, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU, has been frantically attempting to establish an international climate of sanctions and pressure on North Korea," the ministry spokesperson stated. "They fabricated and published a so-called joint statement misrepresenting the essence of cooperative relations between North Korea and Russia."

The ministry stated that "the hostile actions of the US and its allies are not only political provocations that flagrantly violate the sovereignty of independent states, but also serious threats undermining the foundation of global peace and security." Pyongyang expressed "serious concern and protest" over these provocative actions.

The statement further claimed that the prolonged conflict in Ukraine and the destabilization of security in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region are the result of actions by the US and the West, "which stubbornly adhere to destructive, hegemonic, and reckless military strategies, as well as chauvinistic allied policies."

"It is essential to consider who stands to benefit and who will be harmed by the ‘diplomatic legacy' of the current US administration, which will fade from history in disgrace as it relinquishes its powers," the official emphasized.

Accusations against Russia and North Korea

On December 16, the foreign ministers of Australia, the UK, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, France, Germany, the US, Japan, and the EU's high representative for foreign affairs condemned Russia and North Korea for intensifying military cooperation. They also reiterated allegations concerning the situation in Ukraine, claims that Moscow has repeatedly denied.