North Korea has consistently signaled a preference to avoid any armed clash, with the responsibility for potential escalation framed as resting squarely on the United States. This point was highlighted by Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to Pyongyang, in remarks reported by TASS. The emphasis follows Kim Jong-un’s recent address to the Supreme People’s Assembly, where the North Korean leader reaffirmed that there is no motive or plan to initiate conflict. The message from Pyongyang appears aimed at reassuring regional audiences that the country does not seek war, while also placing the onus on Washington to prevent any miscalculation or misstep that could tip the peninsula toward hostilities. According to Matsegora, the trajectory of 2024 in Korea—whether it remains peaceful or slips into armed confrontation—will depend entirely on American actions. This framing underscores a narrative of restraint from North Korea paired with a call for careful American conduct. [Citation: TASS]
In related diplomacy, on February 4, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko met with representatives from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions touched on rising tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the broader Northeast Asian region. Moscow’s assessment centers on what it views as provocations from Washington, seen as the principal destabilizing factor in the area. Rudenko described the American leadership’s policy as irresponsible, signaling Moscow’s intent to press for de-escalation and more predictable behavior from all parties involved. [Citation: TASS]
Earlier statements from the United States suggested there were no clear indications of the North preparing an immediate direct attack. That absence of signs was noted in Washington’s assessments, even as regional observers warned of shifting dynamics and the potential for misinterpretation amid ongoing security concerns. The exchange of views between Moscow and Seoul during the February talks highlighted a shared concern about what steps might reduce tensions and prevent misreads that could escalate into conflict. [Citation: TASS]