War maps: Seoul considering sending weapons to Ukraine after Russia and North Korea meet

The Seoul government could provide armed assistance to Ukraine if it confirms the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. So far, Seoul has provided only humanitarian aid to Kiev, although there have been reports that South Korea has indirectly sent artillery shells to Ukraine through the United States. On October 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this North Korea is sending weapons and troops to Ukraine To support the Russian army.

South Korea’s increasing role in arms exports

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, South Korea’s military material exports have increased significantly. One of its biggest arms deals reached through a framework agreement in 2022 polandIts value since the outbreak of war in Ukraine is more than 20 billion euros.

North Korean troop deployment

According to the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, The first group of 2,600 soldiers will be deployed in the Russian Kursk regionWhere Ukraine controls significant areas after a surprise incursion in early August.

Ukrainian forces have recently advanced into the western part of the Ukrainian salient in the Kursk region as fighting continues there. Budanov said so About 11,000 North Korean troops are in Russia and will be “ready to fight” in Ukraine on November 1.

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea may have sent 1,500 soldiers to Russia for trainingThe move was described as the first step in Moscow’s involvement in the war against Ukraine.

Russia’s reaction

South Korea’s Foreign Minister summoned the Russian Ambassador to South Korea, georgi zinovievFor reports regarding the deployment of North Korean military personnel to Russia.

The Russian Embassy in South Korea presented the event as a voluntary meeting, as opposed to a diplomatic convocation, and specifically stated Any cooperation between Russia and North Korea “is not against Seoul’s security interests”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskovalso said that cooperation between Russia and North Korea “should not worry” other states, and that information about the alleged presence of North Korean troops in Russia may be “contradictory”.

Experts say the Kremlin’s efforts to reassure South Korea that its cooperation with North Korea poses no threat to Seoul suggest that Moscow is concerned about Seoul’s potential stance toward providing aid to Ukraine. I am very worried. necessary military assistance,