South Korean Delegation to Visit Ukraine Amid Concerns Over North Korean Troop Deployment

SEOUL: President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea announced plans for a delegation to visit Ukraine to share intelligence on North Korea's troop deployment to Russia and discuss potential cooperation measures. This visit comes as concerns grow over North Korea's military involvement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to Yonhap News Agency, President Yoon revealed the delegation's visit during a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Rutte confirmed reports that North Korean troops have been stationed in Russia's Kursk region, a key frontline area in the conflict. Yoon emphasized the need for NATO to enhance efforts to monitor and obstruct any illegal exchanges between Russia and North Korea. The South Korean delegation is expected to brief the European Union's Political and Security Committee before traveling to Ukraine to meet with intelligence and defense officials. The aim is to share battlefield information and discuss cooperative measures in response to the de ployment of North Korean forces. In a subsequent call, Secretary General Rutte emphasized that North Korea's involvement in Ukraine is a significant concern for NATO. He expressed hopes for ongoing dialogue on countermeasures and intelligence sharing. Earlier, President Yoon also engaged in discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on the implications of North Korea's troop movement and potential cooperation with EU members. Yoon expressed the urgency of the situation, noting the possibility of North Korean troops being deployed to Ukraine more swiftly than anticipated. The South Korean and U.S. governments have reported that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already been sent to eastern Russia, with numbers potentially reaching 10,000 by December. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has similarly warned of the imminent involvement of North Korean forces in the conflict. Yoon condemned the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, describing it as a violation of international norms and a threat to global peace and security. In response, Yoon called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and cessation of collaboration with Moscow. He indicated that South Korea would consider "practical response measures" alongside the EU and its member countries, potentially including the provision of arms to Ukraine, marking a shift from its existing policy of supplying only humanitarian aid. European Commission President Von der Leyen voiced serious concerns over the North Korean troop deployment, noting its clear contradiction of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions. She reaffirmed the EU's commitment to working closely with South Korea to address the heightened security risks.