Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation on Tuesday with his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol, discussing the dispatch of North Korean soldiers to Russia and agreeing to develop joint measures in response to a possible participation of North Korea in the war. Zelensky emphasized the need to strengthen intelligence and knowledge exchanges, as well as to establish an action strategy and countermeasures against the escalation of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Service of South Korea reported that a contingent of North Korean troops sent to Russia is moving towards the front lines of the war in Ukraine, with most of the soldiers being around 20 years old. It is estimated that North Korea could send up to 10,900 soldiers to Russia by December. The Russian army is teaching Russian terms to the North Koreans, and there is a possibility of communication problems between both parties.
Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has strengthened, with the recent meeting between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin and the signing of a treaty that includes a mutual defense clause. Experts indicate that the visit of the North Korean Foreign Minister to Russia could pave the way for a visit by Kim to Moscow. South Korean intelligence warns of the possibility of a seventh nuclear test by North Korea after the elections in the United States.
The South Korean president denounced what he considers illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, after confirming that North Korean soldiers arrived in Kursk. There are concerns that the war in Ukraine could affect the security of South Korea if Russia transfers advanced military technology to North Korea in exchange for the dispatch of troops.
