South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has expressed concern over North Korea’s cooperation with Russia, labeling it as a serious security threat. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also warned against the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the conflict in Ukraine, stating that such a move would escalate tensions significantly.
During a phone call discussion, Yoon and Rutte highlighted the strong ties between South Korea and NATO, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the defense industry and overall security. The South Korean president stressed that the partnership between North Korea and Russia poses a threat not only to South Korea but also to the international community.
According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, North Korea has already sent around 1,500 soldiers to Russia for training, with plans to deploy a total of approximately 12,000 troops to support Russia in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused North Korea of sending officers to Russia and preparing to send 10,000 soldiers to aid Moscow in the conflict.
Despite these allegations, both Russia and North Korea have denied any involvement of North Korean military personnel in the conflict in Ukraine.