North Korea Warns NATO of "Tragic Consequences" Over Russia Cooperation Criticism

North Korea has denounced NATO's condemnation of its military cooperation with Russia, warning that the alliance could face "tragic consequences" if it maintains its anti-North Korea stance.

This was stated on the Voice of Korea website.

NATO issued a statement last week condemning North Korea and Iran for providing direct military support to Russia, accusing them of "fueling" Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK  issued a statement on Sunday titled "NATO, a Freak Brought Up by Extreme Double Logic and Double Standards of the United States, Should Be Thrown into Dump of History as Soon as Possible”.

“NATO in its recent statement let loose a string of extremely unreasonable remarks that it condemns [...] the independent cooperative relations between sovereign states including the DPRK," the statement said.

"If NATO continues to try hard to infringe upon the dignity, sovereignty, security and interests of the DPRK while persistently pursuing hostile policy toward it, NATO blindly following the US will be held wholly responsible for the tragic consequences to be entailed by it," the spokesperson said.

North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with millions of artillery shells and missiles since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent reports from Western intelligence suggest that Russia relies heavily on North Korea, receiving approximately half of its annual artillery shells from it.

Previously, during Putin’s official visit to North Korea in June, the DPRK and the Russian Federation signed an agreement for a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” which includes provisions for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either party.