South Korea issued a warning on Tuesday, suggesting that it may consider supplying weapons to Ukraine in response to North Korea allegedly sending troops to Russia. Both North Korea and Russia have denied these movements, but South Korean officials fear that Russia may reward North Korea with advanced weapons technologies that could enhance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, posing a threat to South Korea.
In an emergency National Security Council meeting, South Korean officials condemned North Korea’s actions and described them as a grave security threat. The officials discussed potential countermeasures, including diplomatic, economic, and military options. South Korea even considered sending defensive and offensive weapons to Ukraine to deter Russian-North Korean military cooperation.
The South Korean spy agency confirmed the deployment of North Korean special forces to Russia, raising concerns about potential military cooperation and arms transfers between North Korea and Russia. While North Korea and Russia denied these allegations, the international community, including the U.S. and NATO, warned of the dangers of such developments.
As tensions rise, South Korea remains cautious about directly supplying arms to Ukraine but is prepared to take action depending on the progress of Russian-North Korean military cooperation. The situation remains complex, with geopolitical implications and the risk of escalating conflict.
Overall, the international community watches closely as the dynamics between North Korea, Russia, South Korea, and Ukraine continue to unfold.
Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.