Russia expresses 'concern' over North Korea nuclear operations

MOSCOW, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed concern over North Korea's plans to resume nuclear operations and launch rockets in the first public statement from Moscow since Pyongyang's announcement on Tuesday.

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that since Pyongyang's National Space Development Agency announced plans to launch a rocket to place a satellite into orbit and resume activities at its Yongbyon nuclear facility, Moscow has been "paying attention" and monitoring the situation, Yonhap reported.

"Russia expresses its concern regarding North Korea's continued pursuit of rocket launches and nuclear weapons production, activities that have been prohibited by U.N. Security Council resolutions," Zakharova said in translation.

Zakharova said Moscow hopes all countries concerned would exercise restraint and responsibility in order to prevent the deterioration of the situation.

Zakharova, however, did not mention whether Russia supports more sanctions against North Korea or if additional pressure is needed to persuade Pyongyang to abandon nuclear proliferation. South Korean television network KBS reported Zakaharova said Russia has taken the position that there is "no other alternative" than diplomatic rapprochement with regards to solving the nuclear issue.

"That is the only way to stabilize the Korean peninsula," she said.

North Korea and Russia have rekindled a traditional alliance in the past year, and Russia's foreign ministry designated 2015 the "Year of Friendship" with North Korea. In April, however, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declined to attend Moscow's Victory Day Parade in May, and he has yet to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.