Seoul
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has indicated that South Korea may consider increasing its support for Ukraine in response to growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Yoon stated on Thursday that the level of North Korean involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine will be a key factor in shaping South Korea’s response.
Yoon confirmed reports that North Korean soldiers, deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, have started engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces. He emphasized that if North Korea and Russia continue their ‘dangerous military adventure,’ South Korea, in cooperation with its allies, is prepared to take ‘appropriate measures,’ including enhancing support for Ukraine.
The South Korean president also raised concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive military technology from Moscow to Pyongyang in exchange for North Korean troops. He warned that such cooperation could give North Korea crucial modern warfare experience.
Yoon called on both North Korea and Russia to cease their ‘illegal’ military cooperation, urging the withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russian soil. While South Korea remains engaged in diplomatic discussions with Russia, Yoon reaffirmed his commitment to strategic dialogue with China, a key ally of both North Korea and Russia, stressing China’s role in regional stability.
Yoon is set to attend the APEC summit in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil, where he will advocate for free global trade and highlight the growing strategic importance of Latin America. This marks his first official visit to the region since taking office in 2022.
