U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns that Russia could soon provide advanced satellite technology to North Korea, a development he warned could significantly boost the country’s military capabilities. 

In his visit to Seoul last Monday, Blinken explained that sharing advanced space and satellite technology would allow Pyongyang to improve its ability to identify and target adversaries globally, including the United States. 

“[North Korea] is already receiving Russian military equipment and training. Now, we have reason to believe that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with Pyongyang,” Blinken said.

Blinken also echoed a previous warning from the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be on the verge of accepting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. 

Blinken made the warning after North Korea conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the test-fire was carried out as a warning against the country’s adversaries.

North Korea tests hypersonic missile of ‘intermediate range’. The latest in a long line of missile tests was detected by South Korea and according to Seoul the rocket came down in the sea between it and Japan.https://t.co/47lm0uCbZ9 pic.twitter.com/uDwPjIqQUr

— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 7, 2025

The burgeoning alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang has drawn increasing scrutiny. It was earlier reported that North Korea has provided arms and even deployed troops to assist Russia in its war in Ukraine. In return, Russia has reportedly agreed to bolster North Korea’s military capabilities.