South Korea has called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia. In a meeting with Russian Ambassador Georgiy Zinoviev, South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun expressed strong disapproval of the situation and stated that Seoul would act with all available measures. Seoul’s intelligence agency claims that around 1,500 North Korean soldiers, including members of special forces, have already arrived in Russia.
The South Korean government is concerned that these troops are undergoing training for deployment in Ukraine. The ambassador did not confirm any specific allegations regarding North Korean troops joining Russian forces. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured reporters that the cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang is legal and not aimed at any third countries, adding that it should not cause concern.
In the past, South Korea has accused the North of supplying arms to Russia for the Ukraine conflict, but officials suggest that the current situation has escalated beyond just the transfer of military equipment. Some reports indicate that as many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers could potentially be sent to Russia. Kim warned that this development poses a significant threat not only to South Korea but also to the global community.
Ties between Russia and North Korea strengthened after a security pact was signed in June, which commits both nations to support each other against aggression. Following this, Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved to ratify the agreement.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that deploying North Korean troops to aid Russia would mark a considerable escalation in the ongoing conflict. President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea has urged NATO to consider concrete countermeasures and emphasized enhancing security cooperation with Ukraine.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy, currently visiting Seoul, described Russia’s actions as “reckless and illegal” and expressed support for a collaborative response with South Korea. The United States and Japan have also condemned the growing military relationship between North Korea and Russia.
In response to inquiries regarding the situation, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry expressed hope that all parties would work towards de-escalation and seek a political resolution in Ukraine.
Defense experts have indicated that North Korea’s participation could complicate the conflict, potentially bringing in more international involvement and leading to increased sanctions against both nations. Nevertheless, some analysts suggest that incorporating North Korean troops into Russian military operations may prove challenging due to a lack of recent combat experience and language barriers. However, they speculate that North Korean soldiers might be utilized to secure parts of the Russian-Ukrainian border, allowing Russian forces to focus their efforts elsewhere.