After sending soldiers from the Kim Jong-un regime to participate in the invasion ordered by Putin, Seoul is considering changing its role in the conflict and moving from non-lethal aid to supplying war material
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol He said on Thursday that his country could reconsider its position on the direct shipment of weapons to Ukraine, in a possible response to the military participation of North Korea in the conflict.
During a press conference held in the city of SeoulYoon explained that the level of support for Ukraine will depend on the extent of North Korea's involvement in the war, suggesting a change in Seoul's stance on military aid.
“Depending on the level of North Korea’s involvement, we will gradually adjust our support strategy. This means that we do not rule out the possibility of providing weapons.”, said the president.
South Korea, one of the world's leading arms exporters, has so far maintained a policy of not being directly involved in supplying arms to Ukraine, limiting its aid to humanitarian supplies and non-lethal equipment.
However, North Korea's collaboration with Russia caused concern in Seoul and could consider escalating its support for kyiv if Pyongyang steps up its intervention in the conflict.
First clashes
Last Tuesday, Ukrainian forces They had their first confrontation with units North Koreans recently sent to Russia to support the troops of Kremlin in his war against Ukraine. This was reported by the Ukrainian Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov.
According to Umerova, these “small-scale” battles marked the beginning of the direct participation of North Korea in the European conflict, a significant turn in a war that is approaching its 1.000th day.
The minister explained that North Korean troops are mixed with Russian troops and their uniforms lack clear identification, making it difficult to confirm North Korean battlefield casualties.
Umerov said five North Korean units, with about 3.000 soldiers each, are expected to be deployed in the border region of Kursk, on Russian territory.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Security Council's anti-disinformation division Ukraine, added that the first North Korean units were the main target in the Ukrainian bombings in Kursk, although it did not provide further details on the extent of the casualties.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers is carried out under an agreement between Pyongyang y Moscow. According to intelligence reports from United States, South Korea and Ukraine, North Korea plans to send up to 12.000 troops to war in support of Russia.
El Pentagon confirmed that at least 10.000 North Korean soldiers are already in Russia, near the Ukrainian border. The involvement of North Korean troops in Europe represents a significant change in security geopolitics.
An analysis of European Council on Foreign Relations He noted that this intervention “reflects a transformation in security relations between Europe and Asia.” For the first time in decades, East Asian forces are actively involved in a European conflictor, which poses integration challenges due to differences in military doctrine and communication.
(With information from AFP)
Source: INFOBAE
Israel at peace, yes; it will achieve this by defending itself.
Well done if they do it, because the Russian tyrant already did it with the slaves of the tyrant of Pyongyang.