South Korea Contemplates Supplying Arms to Ukraine Amid North Korean Military Aid to Russia
As tensions escalate in Eastern Europe, South Korea is considering a significant policy shift by contemplating the direct supply of weapons to Ukraine. This decision comes amidst mounting evidence that North Korean soldiers are preparing to lend their combat support to Russia in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) disclosed last week that North Korea has reportedly dispatched approximately 1,500 special forces personnel to Russia’s far east. These troops are undergoing training and acclimatization at local military bases, positioning them for future combat alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. According to local media, North Korea is planning to send a total of 12,000 troops, organized into four brigades, to enhance Russia's military presence in the region.
A senior official from the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol indicated that South Korea might consider supplying both defensive and lethal weapons to Ukraine, depending on how the situation develops. "We would consider supplying weapons for defensive purposes as part of the step-by-step scenarios, and if it seems their actions are escalating too far, we might also consider offensive use," the official stated, marking Seoul’s most proactive stance on arming Ukraine to date.
The potential supply of arms from South Korea can be seen as a response to North Korea's increasing military collaboration with Russia. An emergency meeting by South Korea's National Security Council was convened to explore possible responses to this evolving threat. South Korea, which retains one of the world's largest stockpiles of artillery shells, has previously limited its support to humanitarian aid and economic sanctions against Moscow but has refrained from direct military assistance due to its longstanding policy against supplying weapons to nations engaged in conflict.
This proposed shift in policy would likely be welcomed by Ukraine, which is grappling with severe shortages of munitions. In light of North Korea's involvement in the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a vigorous response from international allies.
The background of this deliberation has been underscored by a series of videos that emerged over recent days, seemingly depicting North Korean soldiers undergoing training in Russia. A video circulated by the Ukrainian strategic communication and information security center suggests that North Korean soldiers are receiving uniforms and military equipment at the Sergeevka training ground in Russia’s far east. Furthermore, independent Russian media have published clips featuring North Korean soldiers outside a military facility, seemingly following instructions from an instructor.
Despite these developments, the Kremlin has refrained from confirming whether North Korean troops will participate in combat in Ukraine, stating that it is Moscow's sovereign right to solidify its cooperation with Pyongyang. However, the military and economic alliance between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been solidified since their first meeting in 2019, with both leaders seeking increased collaboration to counter their mutual international isolation.
In June, they signed a pact stipulating mutual assistance in case of an attack, furthering military ties amidst ongoing geopolitical turmoil. The UK government recently assessed that North Korea is likely to send troops to support Russia's endeavors in Ukraine, with Dame Barbara Woodward, the UK's permanent representative to the UN, commenting on the situation. "It seems that the harder Putin finds it to recruit Russians to be cannon fodder, the more willing he is to rely on the DPRK," she remarked during discussions in New York.
The convergence of North Korean military aid and South Korea's potential weapon supply to Ukraine could lead to a complex and volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula, further complicating the international response to the war. As the world watches closely, South Korea's decision could set a precedent for other nations grappling with similar geopolitical dilemmas in support of Ukraine.
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