South Korea weighs sending offensive weapons to Ukraine amid involvement of North Korean soldiers by Russia
Photo: From open sources
South Korea has declared that it will implement "phased measures" in reaction to the increasing military partnership between North Korea and Russia. This is in response to North Korea's choice to deploy its military forces to aid Russia's military operations.
Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Tae-hyo stated this, Yonhap reports.
The South Korean official made the statement during a briefing after a meeting organized by National Security Adviser Shin Won–sik regarding the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
As it became known, about 12,000 North Korean troops, including 1,500 soldiers, are already deployed in the Far East of Russia.
After receiving this information from the National Intelligence Service, South Korea's Presidential National Security Council convened a meeting. Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has been called a "significant security threat" to both South Korea and the international community.
It is also seen as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting such engagement with North Korea.
"If the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia continues, (South Korea) will not stand by but respond firmly in collaboration with the international community," Kim said, warning of "phased measures" in response to the level of their military ties.
Even sending offensive and defensive weapons to Ukraine is being discussed among the possible steps.
It is worth adding that in June, it was reported that if the Russian Federation provides the DPRK with high-precision weapons, then South Korea will not "bind" itself in military aid to Ukraine.
Previously, National Security Adviser Jang Ho–jin said that any cooperation that contributes to North Korea's military strengthening is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and will be subject to international scrutiny and sanctions.
He also promised to take appropriate measures, in particular, to review the issue of armed support to Ukraine, changing Seoul's policy of not providing Ukraine with lethal weapons.
Jang Ho-jin added that South Korea will maintain strategic uncertainty about the types of weapons that can be supplied to Ukraine, because "it will be interesting to see how Russia will respond to this, rather than revealing our plans in advance."
For reference:
On October 15, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea blew up sections of its roads connecting it with South Korea.
