Brussels: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and leaders of the European Union (EU) on Wednesday strongly condemned military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, calling it illegal and a factor enabling Russia to continue its war on Ukraine.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the condemnation was expressed in a joint statement adopted during Lee's summit talks with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, president of the European Council, at the EU headquarters in Brussels. Both sides condemned assistance by third parties, particularly North Korea, which they stated enables Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, as highlighted in the Korean version of the joint statement provided by South Korea's presidential office.

The joint statement emphasized a strong condemnation of the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The leaders urged Pyongyang and Moscow to cease all related activities and adhere to the relevant resolutions set by the United Nations Security Council.

Additionally, the leaders expressed "serious concerns" regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.