South Korea Weighs Increased Support for Ukraine Amid North Korea’s Alleged Aid to Russia

November 14, 2024

ANKARA (AA) - South Korea may bolster its support for Ukraine in response to North Korea’s reported military assistance to Russia, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol revealed on Wednesday.

In an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, Yoon accused Pyongyang of not only deploying troops to Russia but also supplying weapons to aid Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“If they both do not stop their dangerous military adventure, we are prepared to implement appropriate effective measures, including strengthening support for Ukraine, in cooperation with our allies and like-minded countries,” Yoon stated, according to EFE.

Potential Shift in Policy

This marks a potential shift in South Korea’s stance. Last month, Yoon suggested that Seoul could consider providing arms to Ukraine, contingent on the scale of military collaboration between North Korea and Russia.

On Wednesday, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported that North Korean soldiers had been deployed to the front-line region of Kursk, Russia, to fight against Ukrainian forces.

Reports of Troop Deployment

Further fueling concerns, a Ukrainian official claimed on Tuesday that approximately 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops had been stationed in Kursk to confront Ukrainian forces. However, Pyongyang has yet to confirm these allegations.

South Korea’s potential increase in aid to Ukraine underscores its alignment with Western allies and its broader opposition to North Korea’s growing military ties with Russia.

Reported by Islamuddin Sajid