South Korea Protests North Korean Troop Deployment to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

South Korea foreign ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador to express strong objections to reports of North Korean troops being sent to Russia for potential deployment in the ongoing war in Ukraine. This move is part of South Korea’s broader efforts to rally international opposition to what it deems illegal military cooperation.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun met with Georgy Zinoviev, the Russian ambassador, and called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean soldiers from Russian territory. Kim asserted that the involvement of these troops in the Ukraine conflict violates UN resolutions and threatens regional security.

In a statement, Kim condemned what he described as North Korea’s “illegal military cooperation” with Russia and stressed that South Korea would work closely with the international community to address actions that undermine its core security interests.

While the Russian embassy did not respond to requests for comment, Zinoviev indicated he would pass the concerns raised by South Korea to Moscow.

Recent intelligence from South Korea suggests that North Korea has sent approximately 1,500 special forces troops to Russia’s Far East for training, with the potential for their combat deployment in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused North Korea of preparing to send as many as 10,000 soldiers, urging a robust response from nations observing this escalation.

The White House National Security Council has not confirmed the presence of North Korean troops fighting for Russia but highlighted that such a development would represent a significant escalation in the conflict. Both US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that there is currently no evidence supporting the involvement of North Korean forces.

The South Korean defense ministry stated that it had coordinated with US officials prior to the announcement regarding North Korea’s involvement, condemning the actions as illegal and calling for an immediate cessation.

Both Russia and North Korea have denied any arms transfers but are committed to strengthening military cooperation, having signed a mutual defense treaty in June. The Kremlin has also dismissed South Korean claims regarding the potential presence of North Korean military personnel aiding Russian efforts in Ukraine.