South Korea considers sending personnel to Ukraine as North deploys troops to Russia
Seoul may also consider supplying lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces.
South Korea is considering sending military and intelligence personnel to Ukraine in response to North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia, South Korean media reported on 21 October 2024, according to Newsweek.
The report, citing an unnamed South Korean intelligence official, says that Seoul is “reviewing a plan to send an appropriate number of personnel, including intelligence officers and experts in enemy tactics” to Ukraine. These personnel would assist with interrogations and provide interpretation services if North Korean soldiers are captured by Ukrainian forces.
According to Newsweek, South Korea’s Defense Ministry indicated on 21 October that it would consider supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine with “an open attitude.” This marks a potential shift from Seoul’s previous position of providing only humanitarian aid to Kyiv.
The South Korean intelligence agency reported that North Korea has decided to send 12,000 special forces troops to support Russia, with 1,500 already positioned in the Russian Far East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently raised concerns about North Korea’s military involvement, stating that Pyongyang has “an intention to prepare 10,000 soldiers from different branches of the armed forces” to fight alongside Russia against Ukraine. He warned that this could be “the first step to a world war.”
The Kremlin declined to comment on 21 October regarding Russia’s alleged plans to use North Korean soldiers, claiming they “see a lot of contradictory information” from South Korea and the US.
Related:
- South Korea summons Russian ambassador over alleged North Korean troop deployment to Ukraine
- Ukraine demands global response to North Korea’s military support for Russia’s war machine
- French minister warns of escalation as North Korea may join Russia’s war
- Ukraine’s spy chief: 11,000 North Korean soldiers will be ready to fight against Ukraine starting from November
- North Korea’s arms shipments to Russia surge, intelligence report reveals
- North Korea announces increase of 1.4 million personnel in its army
- ISW: North Korean military aid could allow Putin to avoid mobilization
- Russians search for 18 North Korean deserters near Ukraine’s border, Ukrainian intel source says
- Zelenskyy warns: North Korean troops join Russia’s war in Ukraine
- WP: thousands of North Korean troops train in Russia for potential Ukraine deployment
- South Korea hints at lethal aid to Ukraine if Russia arms North Korea
- Seoul says Pyongyang sent million artillery shells to Russia and will send more
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