Seoul: National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik on Wednesday lambasted North Korea as the “worst rogue group” for dispatching its troops to Russia, vowing to come up with “all possible” response measures based on South Korea’s alliance with the United States. Shin made the remark during a conference in Seoul as South Korea has confirmed some North Korean forces have arrived in western Russia, near the border with Ukraine, raising concerns they could soon join combat in the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Shin expressed grave concerns over North Korea’s actions, stating, “Not only has (North Korea) provided large amounts of weapons for Russia’s illegal war of aggression, it is now pushing their youth to become mercenaries for Russia.” He emphasized that North Korea’s actions are a threat to global peace, extending beyond the Korean Peninsula. Shin reiterated the need for a strong response, highlighting the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and collaboration with other nations shar
ing similar values.
Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho also condemned North Korea’s troop deployment, suggesting it aims to forge a “blood alliance” with Russia, countering the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Kim stressed the need to evaluate the implications of North Korea and Russia’s military collaboration on the former’s strategic capabilities. He advocated for enhancing the South Korea-U.S. alliance by developing combined operational plans.
The conference featured other notable participants, including former commanders of the U.S. Forces Korea such as Ret. Gen. Walter L. Sharp, Ret. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, and Ret. Gen. Robert Abrams. Sharp highlighted the growing ties between Russia and North Korea and underscored the necessity of preparing for a “competition of great alliances.” He pointed to potential alliances involving North Korea, Russia, China, and Iran as efforts to destabilize the global order.
“In the future, it’s not about the great powers competition, it is really the competition of great allia
nces, and that is what we’ve got to be prepared to fight,” Sharp noted, urging vigilance and readiness for evolving global dynamics.