North Korea May Deploy Troops in Russia-Ukraine Conflict Sooner Than Expected, Says President Yoon

SEOUL: President Yoon Suk Yeol announced on Monday that North Korea's deployment of troops in Russia's conflict with Ukraine could occur "sooner than expected," marking a significant and concerning development. President Yoon highlighted these concerns during a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks that North Korean troops could join the battlefield against Ukraine imminently. According to Yonhap News Agency, President Yoon expressed grave concerns over the potential deployment, stating that such unlawful military cooperation between Russia and North Korea undermines the international rules-based order and poses a threat to global peace, including on the Korean Peninsula. He urged for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and cessation of military collaboration between the two nations. Yoon also affirmed his commitment to collaborating with the European Union and its member countries to explore "pract ical response measures" to the evolving situation. He indicated that South Korea would adopt phased measures based on the developments in the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Last week, Yoon mentioned that South Korea might consider providing arms to Kyiv, suggesting a possible shift from its policy of only offering humanitarian aid. South Korea and the United States have reported that North Korea has already sent around 3,000 troops to eastern Russia, with expectations from Seoul's intelligence agency that approximately 10,000 soldiers could be deployed by December.