Russian Envoy to Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora slammed on Friday the claims that Pyongyag has obtained Russian missile defense technology as "absolutely unfounded".
"I would like to state with all my responsibility that the allegations against Russia about the alleged purchase of missile and air defense technology by North Koreans from us are contrived and absolutely unfounded. Washington fails to find pretexts for accusations against us that is why they are making up another hoax. By this unfair way, [the United States] is also trying to justify its destabilizing policies in the area of international security", Matsegora told Sputnik on Friday.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood told reporters on Thursday that as North Korea produces additional systems and they grow in sophistication, the United States response must be robust and effective.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula remained tense for decades over the North Korean missile and nuclear tests carried out in violation of the UN Security Council’s resolutions.
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The first ever US-North Korean summit was held in Singapore on 12 June. Following the meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un confirmed his intention to denuclearize, and US President Donald Trump pledged to provide security guarantees to Pyongyang.
The parties have already begun to discuss the second summit, but no specific results have been reportedly achieved yet. Trump's top security aide John Bolton said in December that Washington intended to hold it in January or February. At the same time, he noted that US administration did not plan to lift sanctions against Pyongyang.
In his New Year's address to the nation, Kim confirmed that he was ready to improve relations with South Korea and the United States, and meet with US President Donald Trump "at any time."
In early January, Russian Envoy to Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora discussed the Korean Peninsula denuclearization issues with North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.
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"During the meeting, they discussed some topical questions regarding path searching for settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear problem. Choe Son Hui emphasized that tactics and strategy of the DPRK foreign office on the #denuclearization track will be fully and entirely based on the principles designated by the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in his New Year address," the embassy wrote on Facebook.
The ambassador, in turn, reiterated Russia’s support for initiatives aimed at reducing tensions in Northeast Asia and finding a complex solution to the Korean issues, with due respect for concerns of all parties.