South Korea issued a warning about the possibility of sending weapons to Ukraine in response to reports of a supposed transfer of North Korean troops to Russia. Both North Korea and Russia denied having carried out such movements.
South Korean authorities expressed their concern about the possibility that Russia could reward North Korea with sophisticated military technology that would strengthen its nuclear and missile programs directed against South Korea. In an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, high-level Korean officials labeled the alleged troop displacement as a "serious security threat" to their country and the international community.
South Korean authorities described North Korea as a "criminal group" that would be forcing its youth to serve as Russian mercenaries in a war they consider unjustifiable. In light of this situation, they agreed to take gradual countermeasures tailored to the progress in Russian-North Korean military cooperation, including diplomatic, economic, and military options, among which is the sending of defensive and offensive weapons to Ukraine.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, South Korea has joined U.S.-led sanctions against Moscow and has provided humanitarian and financial aid to Kyiv. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is believed that 10,000 North Korean soldiers could join the Russian invading forces.
In a recent UN Security Council meeting, the Russian ambassador refuted South Korea's claims and Western accusations about other countries' collaboration in supplying weaponry to Russia. Meanwhile, North Korea and Russia have denied such accusations and have avoided providing weapons directly to Ukraine, following the policy of not supplying arms to nations in active conflicts.
Supported by intelligence reports, South Korean authorities have confirmed that North Korea sent 1,500 special forces personnel to Russia this month. In light of these accusations and reports, the West has also expressed its concern about this possible collaboration, although the United States and NATO have yet to confirm the veracity of these deployments.
