Seoul Considers Arms Supplies to Kyiv if North Korean Troops Participate in Russia’s War Against Ukraine
South Korean President Yun Suk-yol has said that North Korea's sending troops to Russia to deploy in Ukraine is a ‘provocation’ that ‘threatens global security’ and added that Seoul may ‘reconsider’ potential arms supplies to Ukraine after intelligence reports of 3,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia.
Yun made the remarks after meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Seoul.
Polish President Andrzej Duda also expressed deep concern over North Korea's growing military cooperation with Russia during a meeting with South Korean leader Yun Suk-young in Seoul on Thursday.
Last week, South Korean intelligence reported that North Korea sent about 1,500 soldiers to Russia's Far East between 8 and 13 October. This week, an additional 1,500 troops were reportedly sent.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, confirmed these reports, adding that North Korean soldiers could soon be fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
Both NATO and the United States have warned that such involvement could lead to an escalation of the conflict.
Earlier, Russian lawmakers voted to ratify a defence treaty with North Korea that provides for ‘mutual assistance’ if either side faces aggression.