South Korea calls in Russian ambassador amid reports of North Korea sending troops to support Ukraine
On Monday, South Korea’s foreign minister summoned the Russian ambassador regarding reports that North Korea was sending troops to assist the Russian military in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Kim Hong-Kyun, the vice minister of South Korea, called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean soldiers from Russia. He asserted that this troop deployment breaches the U.N. charter and related resolutions, posing a threat to South Korea’s security, as stated by the foreign ministry.
“We strongly condemn North Korea’s unauthorized military actions, such as sending troops to Russia,” Kim expressed to Ambassador Zinoviev, as reported by the South Korean ministry. “We will take collective action with the international community, utilizing all means available to address threats to our essential security concerns.”
In response, Zinoviev argued that the collaboration between Russia and North Korea is compliant with international law and is not aimed at South Korea, as mentioned in a Facebook statement from the Russian embassy.
Current reports regarding Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops in the Ukrainian conflict remain unverified, with the Kremlin having previously denied such claims.
South Korea’s Intelligence Service indicated on Friday that North Korea had dispatched 1,500 elite forces to train at Russian military facilities in the Far East, likely designated for combat in Ukraine.
Utilizing facial recognition and artificial intelligence, the agency reported collaboration with Ukrainian intelligence to identify North Korean military personnel stationed alongside Russian troops in the Donetsk area of eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that North Korea deployed 10,000 troops to Russia.
South Korea’s defense ministry confirmed that discussions took place with the U.S. on Monday. The National Security Council from the White House stated it could not verify the stories; however, if accurate, it would represent a grave escalation in the ongoing conflict, as relayed by a spokesperson.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte mentioned on X that he conferred with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. He noted that North Korea’s troop dispatch to the conflict would signify a serious escalation.
