The comments could be taken as a warning to Pyongyang, whose newfound involvement in the European conflict and aggressive posturing toward its southern neighbor threatens to implicate its Indo-Pacific ally in two geopolitical crises.
For months, North Korea is believed to have supplied Vladimir Putin's forces with a steady stream of artillery shells and missiles used against Ukrainian forces and defenceless civilians alike.
It is also likely to be unwelcome news in China, which has long been North Korea’s main ally but whose influence over the reclusive nuclear-armed state is being eroded by leader Kim Jong Un’s growing relationship with President Vladimir Putin.
North Korea is solidifying ties with Russia, a change from its usual focus on China.