Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A spokesman for North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied allegations that the North had provided military supplies to Russia as “the most absurd manipulation of public opinion.”

In a statement Arab News Japan received a copy of, the spokesman suggested that “the international community has been busy supplying various murderous weapons into Ukraine on a large scale, causing a bloody tragedy in the country. The focus should be on U.S. criminal acts that are causing destruction.”

The spokesman added: “The Russian people are the most resilient people, who have the will and the ability to defend their security and territorial integrity without any military assistance.”

In a separate statement from the North on Friday, a spokesman said “The United States is now trying to craft a United Nations Security Council ‘Chairman’s Statement’ condemning our right to self-defense. We have already warned unequivocally that such a foolish attempt by the United States will have very unfavorable consequences.”

The North said the move insulted the name of the United Nations and was “a violation of the sovereignty of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

The statement concluded: “We are closely watching the reckless behavior of the United States, which continues to make irresponsible provocations.”