Seoul Demands Immediate Withdrawal of North Korean Troops in Russia

Seoul is urging the swift removal of North Korean troops currently stationed in Russia, a move sparking international concern.

The South Korean government is alarmed by reports that over 1,500 North Korean soldiers, including special forces, have been deployed to Russia and might be involved in Ukraine’s conflict.

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South Korea’s intelligence agency says these troops are being trained for combat in Ukraine, raising security fears across the region.

South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun summoned Russian Ambassador Georgiy Zinoviev, expressing strong disapproval of North Korea’s involvement.

Kim emphasized that such actions violate international law and pose severe risks to South Korea and the global community. He warned that Seoul would take all available measures to ensure their national security and prevent further escalation.

South Korea Condemns North Korean Troop Deployment

South Korea’s spy agency confirmed that the 1,500 North Korean troops were sent to Russia’s Far East, where they are undergoing training and acclimatization.

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Special forces from Pyongyang are being prepared for potential involvement on the frontlines in Ukraine. While Russian officials, including Ambassador Zinoviev, have avoided directly confirming these claims, they insist that any cooperation between Russia and North Korea complies with international law.

South Korean media reports suggest the number of North Korean soldiers in Russia could rise to as many as 12,000.

These developments come after a security pact was signed between North Korea and Russia, in which both nations agreed to assist each other in the face of external aggression.

The rapid intensification of this military relationship has led to strong reactions from South Korea, NATO, and other Western allies.

NATO and Allies Voice Concerns

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte responded to the escalating situation, stating that North Korea’s military involvement in Ukraine would mark an important escalation in the ongoing conflict.

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After speaking with South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, Rutte urged the NATO alliance to explore concrete countermeasures. Yoon also stressed the need for stronger security cooperation between South Korea, Ukraine, and NATO.

The United States and Japan have joined the chorus of condemnation, expressing deep concerns about the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea.

During a visit to Seoul, British Foreign Minister David Lammy called Russia’s actions “reckless and illegal,” promising cooperation between the U.K. and South Korea to address the threat posed by North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.

Security Threats and Violations of International Law

Seoul’s government asserts that the deployment of North Korean troops violates several international agreements, including U.N. resolutions and the U.N. Charter.

Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun has condemned North Korea’s actions as illegal and destabilizing, not just for South Korea but for the broader global community.

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He warned that Seoul, in collaboration with international partners, would take firm steps to counteract these threats to core security interests.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, downplayed the situation, claiming that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea was not aimed at any third countries and should not be a cause for concern.

This position has done little to allay fears in Seoul, Kyiv, or other NATO countries, which see the North Korea-Russia partnership as a dangerous escalation in the Ukraine conflict.

Military Experts Weigh In

Some defense experts suggest that North Korea’s involvement could dramatically change the dynamics of the Ukraine war.

Moon Seong-mok, a researcher at the Korea National Strategy Institute, warned that North Korea’s participation could encourage further international involvement in the conflict, possibly drawing more countries into the war.

The global community is expected to increase sanctions and diplomatic pressure on both Russia and North Korea as a result.

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However, there are also doubts about how effective North Korean soldiers would be in the war. Military experts point to language barriers and the lack of recent combat experience among North Korean troops as major obstacles to their deployment on the frontlines.

Valeriy Ryabykh, editor of the Ukrainian publication Defence Express, suggested that these troops might be stationed along the Russian-Ukrainian border to guard certain areas rather than engage directly in combat, freeing up Russian forces for the frontlines.

Ukraine Reacts to North Korea’s Involvement

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been vocal in his concerns about North Korea’s potential deployment of troops. He recently accused Pyongyang of planning to send as many as 10,000 soldiers to support Russia.

Zelenskyy called on Kyiv’s allies to respond with strong countermeasures, emphasizing that this new development threatens to escalate the war further.

The Ukrainian government, already battling Russian forces on multiple fronts, views the addition of North Korean troops as a dangerous shift that could strain their military resources and complicate defense strategies.

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Zelenskyy’s call for international support has found an eager audience, with NATO leaders and other Western nations denouncing the North Korea-Russia collaboration and pledging continued aid to Ukraine.

Potential for Broader Conflict

North Korea’s entry into the Ukraine conflict could lead to wider global involvement. If Pyongyang deploys more troops to Russia, the international community may increase sanctions on both nations, as well as explore further military and diplomatic options.

The cooperation between Russia and North Korea has also raised concerns in neighboring countries, including South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., about potential threats to their own security.

In response to these rising tensions, South Korea is reinforcing its security partnerships with Ukraine, NATO, and other global allies. P

resident Yoon Suk Yeol has urged NATO to consider specific countermeasures to prevent further escalation, while also enhancing South Korea’s own defense capabilities.

What’s Next?

While Moscow denies that North Korean troops have been deployed directly to the frontlines, the mere possibility of their involvement in Ukraine has already prompted significant international backlash.

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The collaboration between North Korea and Russia is being closely monitored by the global community, with potential repercussions including increased sanctions and intensified diplomatic pressure.