North Korea: America's Policy Toward Taiwan Undermines Stability in the Region

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The official Korean Central News Agency reported today, Wednesday, that Pyongyang criticized the United States for its arms sales to Taipei and its military support for the island, accusing Washington of fueling tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

A commentary published by the news agency, citing North Korean international affairs analyst Kim Myung-chul, indicated that the U.S. policy towards Taiwan undermines peace and stability in the region.

The agency stated that Washington "should think carefully about whether it is ready to engage in a direct confrontation with the powerful national force of the People's Republic of China for the security of Taiwan, and whether it can bear the consequences of that."

Last week, the first two of 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets that were ordered in 2019 arrived in Taiwan, at a time when the island faces an increasing military threat from China.

These comments show that Pyongyang is coordinating its positions more closely with Beijing regarding Taiwan, which is one of the most sensitive foreign policy issues for China that considers the democratically governed island part of its territory, despite Taipei's rejection of Beijing's sovereignty claims.

North Korea has strengthened its relations with China and Russia in recent years, raising security concerns for the United States and its allies in Asia and the West.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a summit held in Pyongyang in June that he fully supports the "One China" principle, which Beijing sees as meaning that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one state, regardless of changes in the international situation.

The meeting also included a cautiously worded reference to defense ties, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoting Xi as saying that the two sides would enhance exchanges in the fields of diplomacy, law enforcement, military affairs, and others.

Analysts said that North Korea's decision to send soldiers to fight alongside Russia in the Ukraine war demonstrated its willingness to provide material support in wartime, without any indications of a similar commitment to China.

In a separate report, the North Korean Central News Agency stated that Kim pledged to continue supporting Russia and its war efforts, in a congratulatory message to President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his birthday.

The agency quoted Kim as saying that Pyongyang will continue to expand joint cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, adding that he is convinced that the "sacred justice war" that Russia is fighting in defense of its sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity will culminate in victory.

The message did not explicitly refer to the Russian war in Ukraine. Ukrainian and South Korean estimates suggest that North Korea has sent between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers to support Russia in the war that has been ongoing since 2024.

North Korea and Russia have significantly strengthened their relations since signing a mutual defense agreement in June 2024.