Seoul Cautious on Ukraine Defense Aid Amid North Korea Troop Claims

South Korea's government is maintaining a cautious approach to Ukraine's request for air defense support and other military provisions, according to a senior government official. This stance comes amid claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that North Korea is preparing to send an additional 30,000 to 50,000 troops to Russia.

A senior foreign ministry official stated that South Korea's supply of defense materials is always conducted in accordance with domestic law. The government has been providing support to Ukraine in various sectors such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education, and will continue to review measures for Ukraine's recovery and rebuilding. This appears to reaffirm Seoul's policy of offering humanitarian assistance while withholding lethal weapons.

Zelenskyy shared an interview on his X page stating that a decision had been made for a significant number of North Koreans to be deployed in Russia, suggesting that North Korea would gain modern warfare experience through this cooperation. He urged Seoul to deepen cooperation with Ukraine and sought support for air defense systems.

The South Korean official declined to confirm specific diplomatic discussions or the troop deployment claims. However, the official emphasized that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is directly related to South Korea's security and violates United Nations resolutions, calling for an immediate cessation of such cooperation. The government is closely monitoring the situation.

Following a mutual defense pact signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June 2024, Pyongyang is believed to have already sent approximately 20,000 combat troops and military engineers to Russia's Kursk region.