North Korean troops in Russia, Pyongyang denuclearization among topics of Yoon-Trump phone call

The US President-elect and the South Korean leader discussed North Korea's recent nuclear developments, missile launches, and troop deployment to support Russia against Ukraine.

Nov 7, 2024 - 17:00
North Korean troops in Russia, Pyongyang denuclearization among topics of Yoon-Trump phone call

north korean troops russia pyongyang denuclearization among topics yoon-trump phone call south president yoon suk-yeol (left) during us president-elect donald trump nov 7 then-president sep 2019

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol held a phone call on 7 November with newly re-elected US President Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory. During the 12-minute conversation, the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including North Korea’s military involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to Yonhap.

This comes amid strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea. Moscow has intensified military ties with Pyongyang since February 2022, securing ballistic missiles, and more than 2 million artillery rounds, with both countries signing a mutual defense pact in June. South Korea, Ukraine, and the US reported that around 10,000-12,000 North Korean troops deployed in Russia for training, with some transferred to the Kursk combat zone.

The parties addressed security, the economy, and global issues. South Korea’s Principal Deputy National Security Adviser, Kim Tae-hyo, said that Yoon and Trump discussed North Korea’s situation, including recent nuclear developments, missile launches and troop deployment to Russia. They expressed their concerns on these security issues and on the urgency of the situation in Ukraine.

The leaders agreed that an in-person meeting would be essential to discuss these matters further, and said they would coordinate soon on a date and location for such a summit.

According to Yonhap, experts say a second Trump administration is expected to bring shifts and unpredictability to the US-South Korea alliance, potentially increasing pressure on Seoul to take on a larger share of the burden as a US ally.

Another key focus will be how Trump might address North Korea’s denuclearization efforts, especially amid growing skepticism about Washington’s commitment to this goal, along with his approach to Russia’s war in Ukraine, where Pyongyang’s forces are ready to join Russia.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported holding a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, stating that both leaders “agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation.” Zelenskyy emphasized that “strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace.”

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. 

We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.

A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.

Become a Patron!