South Korean delegation to brief NATO on North Korean troops in Russia

Seoul may also consider sending a monitoring team to Ukraine, and providing Ukraine with weapons.

Oct 28, 2024 - 04:00

South Korean delegation to brief NATO on North Korean troops in Russia

south korean delegation brief nato north troops russia ruler kim jong un visits training base special operations armed forces dprk's army korea's official central news agency released 4 october 2024

South Korean officials will brief NATO on North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia during a high-level meeting scheduled for 28 October, according to NATO’s website. The meeting will also be attended by ambassadors from NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.

Earlier, South Korea’s intelligence indicated that Pyongyang sent 3,000 troops to Russia with plans to deploy 10,000 by December to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. The first DPRK military units, trained at Russia’s eastern training grounds, have already arrived in the combat zone, particularly in Kursk Oblast, as per the Ukrainian military.

According to Yonhap News, the South Korean delegation, led by First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won, will include senior military officials and diplomats. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte requested this briefing during phone talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol on 21 October.

Seoul may also send intelligence officers and weapons

Yonhap says a South Korean delegation, including senior military officials and diplomats, is expected to focus on North Korea’s troop movements and deployment in Russia during talks this week.

However, Seoul is considering several support measures for Ukraine. Yonhap reports that these include sending a monitoring team comprising intelligence officials and North Korea specialists to study tactics and participate in interrogations of captured North Korean soldiers. Officials specializing in psychological warfare might join to assist in surrender appeals.

Additional support measures under consideration include the provision of weapons to Kyiv, marking a shift from Seoul’s current policy of supplying only humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as per Yonhap. President Yoon confirmed on 24 October that South Korea could consider providing arms to Ukraine, depending on the extent of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

The issue will also be discussed when South Korea’s Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun meets with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington on 30 October, Yonhap says.

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