North stands by decision to recognize two pro-Russian separatist states in Ukraine

North Korea

Published: 15 Jul. 2022, 16:35

North stands by decision to recognize two pro-Russian separatist states in Ukraine

[NEWS1, YONHAP]

North Korea said that Ukraine should not take issue with its recognition of two pro-Russian separatist states in Ukraine, stating that the recognition was a “legitimate exercise of sovereignty” on Friday.

North Korea had formally recognized the independence of Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic on Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

“Ukraine, which had committed acts quite contrary to impartiality and justice in the state-to-state relations while aligning itself with the U.S.’s unreasonable and illegal hostile policy toward DPRK in the past, has no right or qualification to take issue with the DPRK over its legitimate exercise of sovereignty,” a spokesperson for Pyongyang’s foreign ministry said in a statement released by the KCNA. DPRK stands for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

After North Korea’s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk Wednesday, Ukraine immediately severed ties with North Korea.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]