South Korea Condemns Russia-North Korea Defense Pact, Raises Security Concerns
South Korea has strongly condemned Russia’s move to formalize a defense pact with North Korea, raising alarms over the potential deployment of North Korean troops in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The pact, endorsed by Russia’s lower house of parliament on Thursday, commits Moscow and Pyongyang to mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either nation. The upper house of Russia’s parliament is expected to approve the treaty soon.
In response, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “grave concern” over the pact, calling for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia and urging an end to any military cooperation between the two nations. “The government will work together with the international community to firmly respond to military cooperation between Russia and North Korea,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
South Korea’s Response and Threats to Global Security
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol described the deployment of North Korean forces in Russia as a “provocation that threatens global security.” He hinted at the possibility of South Korea providing military support to Ukraine if North Korea continues its involvement in the conflict, stating that South Korea may reconsider its policy of not supplying lethal weapons.
Reports suggest that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops are already stationed at various locations in Russia, including the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, where significant fighting has occurred.
Russia and North Korea Deny Troop Involvement
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained evasive on questions regarding North Korean troop deployments, he emphasized that how Russia implements its mutual defense agreement with North Korea is “our business.” North Korea’s mission to the United Nations has denied these allegations, dismissing them as “groundless rumors.”
