President Yoon Suk Yeol criticized North Korea's recent actions, including sending balloons carrying trash to South Korea and signing a military cooperation treaty with Russia, as outdated and contrary to historical progress. He emphasized that the treaty between North Korea and Russia violates UN Security Council resolutions and expressed determination to maintain a strong military readiness to deter any provocations from the North. Yoon's comments came during a ceremony commemorating the 74th anniversary of the Korean War outbreak, marking his first public response to the pact signed during the summit talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The treaty includes a mutual defense pledge and has raised concerns about a return to Cold War-era alliances. Yoon also reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to deterring North Korean provocations through a robust security posture and its alliance with the US and other like-minded countries. Tensions between the two Koreas have persisted, with North Korea engaging in tit-for-tat actions such as sending trash-carrying balloons and brief border violations, prompting South Korea to respond with warning shots. Additionally, North Korea's actions have raised concerns about its compliance with UN sanctions and its involvement in supplying artillery shells for Russia's conflict with Ukraine.