South Korea’s foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Seoul on Monday to protest what it described as the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, allegedly for use in the war in Ukraine. South Korea’s first vice foreign minister, Kim Hong-kyun, held a meeting with Russian envoy Georgy Zinoviev, demanding the immediate withdrawal of North Korean military personnel from Russia, according to a statement from the ministry. Kim expressed serious concerns over the involvement, asserting that it poses significant security threats to South Korea and the broader international community.
The South Korean government strongly condemned North Korea’s alleged military cooperation with Russia, stating that such actions violate United Nations resolutions and the U.N. Charter. “We condemn North Korea’s illegal military cooperation, including its dispatch of troops to Russia, in the strongest terms,” Kim said, emphasizing that South Korea will work with international partners to respond decisively. He added that all available measures will be utilized to counter what South Korea views as a direct threat to its core security interests.
In response, the Russian embassy in Seoul issued a statement on Facebook, relaying Zinoviev’s defense of Moscow’s actions. According to the post, Zinoviev claimed that cooperation between Russia and North Korea was in compliance with international law and did not endanger South Korea’s security. This statement, however, contrasts sharply with South Korea’s intelligence reports and mounting international concern over North Korea’s alleged involvement in the conflict.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) had reported last week that North Korea had sent around 1,500 special forces troops to Russia’s Far East for training and that they were being acclimatized at Russian military bases. The NIS suggested that these troops would likely be deployed in combat operations in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also recently accused North Korea of preparing to send up to 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia, escalating fears of Pyongyang’s increasing role in the conflict.
The United States has taken note of these developments, though its response has been cautious. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council stated on Friday that the reports of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia could not be confirmed, but acknowledged that if true, it would represent a “dangerous development” in the ongoing war. Such an escalation, the spokesperson noted, could further destabilize the region and prolong the conflict in Ukraine.
South Korea’s defense ministry announced that it had consulted with Washington prior to making the intelligence public. The ministry reiterated its strong opposition to North Korea’s alleged military involvement in Ukraine and called for an immediate end to Pyongyang’s actions. It also urged global powers to take a united stance in condemning North Korea’s involvement, which Seoul insists is illegal under international law.
The potential involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine war has raised alarms across the international community, with NATO also weighing in on the matter. After a conversation with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, NATO chief Mark Rutte posted on social media platform X that if North Korea were indeed sending soldiers to fight on behalf of Russia, it would significantly escalate the ongoing conflict. Rutte called for a coordinated international response to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
China, North Korea’s most powerful ally, has remained more neutral in its response. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian commented on the situation by calling for de-escalation, saying that Beijing hopes all parties involved will work towards reducing tensions. This statement reflects China’s broader diplomatic position of urging dialogue and restraint amid the Ukraine crisis.
Despite repeated denials from both Moscow and Pyongyang regarding arms transfers or direct military cooperation, the two nations have publicly pledged to strengthen their military ties. In June, North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defense treaty during a summit, further fueling speculation about potential military collaboration. The agreement, while not explicitly mentioning the Ukraine conflict, underscored the deepening ties between the two nations as they face increasing isolation on the world stage.
With tensions rising, South Korea and its international allies are now closely monitoring the situation, wary of any further escalations in the Ukraine war that might involve North Korean military personnel. The potential deployment of North Korean troops, if confirmed, could not only affect the dynamics of the Ukraine conflict but also have broader implications for regional security in East Asia, where South Korea, Japan, and other nations remain vigilant over the unpredictable actions of Pyongyang.
