S. Korea noncommittal on differing assessments with U.S. on N. Korea-Hamas military link

▲ This photo, provided by the National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, on Jan. 8, 2024, shows an F-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher manufactured in North Korea suspected to have been used by the Hamas militant group. Korean characters are engraved inside of the fuse (in blue circle) of the grenade launcher. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk speaks during a regular press briefing at the foreign ministry headquarters in Seoul in this file photo taken Dec. 19, 2023. (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-NK-Hamas

S. Korea noncommittal on differing assessments with U.S. on N. Korea-Hamas military link

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign ministry remained cautious Thursday about a U.S. assessment that suggested inconsistency with Seoul's analysis on possible military ties between North Korea and the Hamas militant group, saying the government is closely communicating with Washington.

John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said Wednesday (local time) that the United States was not aware of any indication of military cooperation between the North and Hamas, a response that contrasted with the South Korean spy agency's analysis of Hamas' weapons earlier this week.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed a media report that Hamas militants have used an F-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher manufactured in the North.

The differing assessments raised questions about a discrepancy in intelligence analysis between the allies on the potential military ties between the North and Hamas.

"South Korea and the U.S. have been coordinating very closely on information-sharing," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a press briefing.

"And it has been made clear, through various channels, including in U.N. panel reports, that North Korea has long engaged in arms transfers overseas, such as to the Middle East," Lim said.

Lim said there is nothing more to confirm at the ministry level other than what the NIS has revealed.

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