US, S. Korea nuclear plan raises regional security concerns: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Saturday that the recently announced U.S. guidelines for operating nuclear assets on the Korean peninsula are likely to increase security concerns in the region, according to reports from South Korean and Russian news agencies.

Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos, Lavrov said he had not been briefed on the plan’s details but said that it is of concern to Russia, Yonhap agency reported.

“Another element of concern is that the United States recently concluded an agreement with the Republic of Korea on joint nuclear planning,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by the Russian state-run RIA news agency.

“So far we can’t even get an explanation of what this means, but there is no doubt that it causes additional anxiety.”

The guideline is aimed at responding to the nuclear threat from North Korea, the U.S. and South Korea have said.