SEOUL: South Korea is contemplating the deployment of a team to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops reportedly sent to support Russia in its ongoing conflict, a government source revealed. This potential move comes amid rising concerns over North Korea’s involvement in the war, with Seoul’s intelligence agency previously reporting that Pyongyang has dispatched around 1,500 special forces to Russia this month, with plans to send a total of 12,000 troops from an elite unit.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean government is considering sending military personnel from intelligence units to Ukraine. These personnel would be tasked with analyzing North Korean battlefield tactics or participating in the interrogation of captured North Korean soldiers. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to monitor the tactics and combat capabilities of the North Korean forces supporting Russia.
The South Korean government is also deliberating on the possibility of providing weapons support to Ukraine, ma
rking a potential shift from its current policy of avoiding direct lethal aid. The focus, however, would be on supplying defensive weapons before considering lethal aid options. Even if lethal weapons are supplied, South Korea is contemplating indirect methods to deliver them to Ukraine, ensuring compliance with its policy stance.
South Korea currently operates a variety of defensive weapons systems, including the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system. In parallel, South Korea’s defense ministry spokesperson, Jeon Ha-kyou, indicated that the country could continue its logistical and humanitarian support to Ukraine, providing items such as gas masks and field rations.
In response to inquiries about what Russia might be offering North Korea in exchange for troop deployment, Jeon suggested that Moscow could be providing financial support or advanced technologies to Pyongyang, reflecting the complexities of the military cooperation between the two nations.