North Korea-Russia military ties growing, dangerous — Blinken

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Thursday that military ties between North Korea and Russia are "growing and dangerous," and called on China to restrain Pyongyang.

"We are seeing the DPRK provide military equipment to Russia for pursuing its aggression in Ukraine, but we are also seeing Russia provide technology and support for the DPRK for its own military programs," Blinken said in a press conference with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul, using the official name for North Korea.

Blinken is in Seoul following a Group of 7 foreign ministers' meeting in Japan. He met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Thursday.

They "strongly condemned the provision of military equipment and munitions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation for use in its war against Ukraine," the US State Department said in a readout of Blinken's meeting with Yoon.

Historic allies Russia and North Korea are both under international sanctions — the former for its invasion of Ukraine and Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Their growing military cooperation has been a source of concern for Ukraine and its allies, especially following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.

Blinken called on China, North Korea's main ally, to play a role in reining in Pyongyang's weapons programs, including "irresponsible" missile launches.

"China has a unique relationship with North Korea," he said.

"As a result of that relationship, it has real influence and we do look to China to use that influence to play a constructive role in pulling North Korea back from this irresponsible and dangerous behavior."

The Kremlin said last month there was "no proof" North Korea was sending weapons to Russia.