US notes China's role in curbing N. Korea's 'provocative' activity

The United States on Thursday took note of China's role in curbing North Korea's "provocative" and "harmful" activities amid international criticism over Pyongyang's transfers of weapons to Russia and its evolving military threats.

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel made the remarks in response to a reporter's question over whether China -- with close relations with the North and Russia -- is responsible for its apparent inaction regarding the arms trade between Pyongyang and Moscow.

"We've long said that countries that have a relationship with the DPRK, including even Russia in that matter, have a responsibility to help curtail this kind of provocative harmful activity," Patel said during a press briefing. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Asked to comment on Russia's claim that there is no evidence that it has used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine, Patel called attention to a recent joint statement adopted by the top diplomats of nearly 50 countries to condemn the arms transfer between the North and Russia.

"It is interesting that the Russian Federation would say that," he said.

"There is a high level of confidence from the United States as well as these other partners who share our concern and condemnation of the transfer of this type of ballistic missile," he added.

The White House has revealed that Russia, which has been provided with several dozen North Korean ballistic missiles, used some of them to strike Ukrainian targets on Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and Saturday.

In a separate briefing, Defense Department spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder reiterated the US' concerns over the arms trade between the North and Russia.

"We've been talking for a long time about the fact that it's very concerning that the relationship between Russia and North Korea -- in terms of providing munitions and weapons that are being employed on the battlefield in Ukraine -- again just demonstrates the desperation that Russia is experiencing when it comes to replenishing their own stockpiles," he said.

"But also more importantly the fact that North Korea is participating in the illegal occupation and killing of Ukrainian civilians in this war," he added. (Yonhap)