South Korea Considers Sending Artillery Shells to Ukraine Amid Reports of North Korean Troops
South Korea, which has largely remained neutral during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, is increasingly expressing concern over allegations that North Korea is sending troops to fight in Ukraine on Russia's side.
In response to these allegations, South Korea is contemplating providing 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine, a move that has allegedly been done indirectly by routing the shells through the United States. The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine is considered a "serious security threat" by Seoul, which has demanded their immediate withdrawal. South Korean media has also suggested the possibility of sending intelligence advisers to assist the Ukrainian military.
South Korean Ministry of Defense's Response
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun reportedly summoned Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, to express Seoul's concerns over the alleged North Korean troop movements. Kim warned that any military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and would be a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Kim stated, "South Korea will respond with every possible means, alongside the international community, to any acts that threaten our core security interests." However, the Russian side has downplayed these warnings, and conveyed that its view of who contributes to destabilizing the Korean peninsula differs.
Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles
A defense source highlighted that if Seoul decided to supply Ukraine with artillery shells, significant legal and bureaucratic obstacles would need to be overcome. South Korea’s Defense Procurement Act and Foreign Trade Act currently prohibit the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, either directly or through third parties. Both laws would need to be amended for the delivery of 155mm shells to be possible.
This development adds another layer to South Korea’s ongoing internal debate on whether to support Ukraine militarily, a topic first discussed in July 2023 and revisited in April 2022. Despite this consideration, the likelihood of an immediate shift remains unclear as Ukraine continues to await the delivery of K600 mine-clearing tanks, which South Korea had previously pledged.
Claims of North Korean Troops in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pushing hard new accusations that at least 10,000 North Korean troops are being sent to Ukraine to fight on behalf of the Russians. South Korea’s spy agency has also backed Zelensky's claim, stating last Friday that at least 1,500 North Korean special forces have already been sent, with satellite images tracking these movements.
However, the Pentagon has not confirmed these reports, with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stating that he can't confirm this narrative and that they will continue to investigate.
Zelensky has also been promoting the idea that the 'enemies' of the West, including Russia, Iran, and North Korea, have formed an axis to fight in Ukraine and push back NATO. However, without 'proof' of North Korean troops in the battle zone, including alleged satellite imagery, NATO and the Pentagon have yet to vouch for this claim.
The Western alliance is also resisting Ukraine's demands to greenlight long-range missile strikes deep into Russian territory, a move Putin has warned would cross all 'red lines' and unleash major escalation.
Bottom Line
The allegations of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine on Russia's behalf have heightened tensions and evoked strong responses from South Korea. The possibility of South Korea supplying artillery shells to Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken by the involved parties. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
South Korea Considers Sending Artillery Shells to Ukraine Amid Reports of North Korean Troops
South Korea, which has largely remained neutral during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, is increasingly expressing concern over allegations that North Korea is sending troops to fight in Ukraine on Russia's side.
In response to these allegations, South Korea is contemplating providing 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine, a move that has allegedly been done indirectly by routing the shells through the United States. The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine is considered a "serious security threat" by Seoul, which has demanded their immediate withdrawal. South Korean media has also suggested the possibility of sending intelligence advisers to assist the Ukrainian military.
South Korean Ministry of Defense's Response
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun reportedly summoned Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, to express Seoul's concerns over the alleged North Korean troop movements. Kim warned that any military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and would be a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Kim stated, "South Korea will respond with every possible means, alongside the international community, to any acts that threaten our core security interests." However, the Russian side has downplayed these warnings, and conveyed that its view of who contributes to destabilizing the Korean peninsula differs.
Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles
A defense source highlighted that if Seoul decided to supply Ukraine with artillery shells, significant legal and bureaucratic obstacles would need to be overcome. South Korea’s Defense Procurement Act and Foreign Trade Act currently prohibit the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, either directly or through third parties. Both laws would need to be amended for the delivery of 155mm shells to be possible.
This development adds another layer to South Korea’s ongoing internal debate on whether to support Ukraine militarily, a topic first discussed in July 2023 and revisited in April 2022. Despite this consideration, the likelihood of an immediate shift remains unclear as Ukraine continues to await the delivery of K600 mine-clearing tanks, which South Korea had previously pledged.
Claims of North Korean Troops in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pushing hard new accusations that at least 10,000 North Korean troops are being sent to Ukraine to fight on behalf of the Russians. South Korea’s spy agency has also backed Zelensky's claim, stating last Friday that at least 1,500 North Korean special forces have already been sent, with satellite images tracking these movements.
However, the Pentagon has not confirmed these reports, with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stating that he can't confirm this narrative and that they will continue to investigate.
Zelensky has also been promoting the idea that the 'enemies' of the West, including Russia, Iran, and North Korea, have formed an axis to fight in Ukraine and push back NATO. However, without 'proof' of North Korean troops in the battle zone, including alleged satellite imagery, NATO and the Pentagon have yet to vouch for this claim.
The Western alliance is also resisting Ukraine's demands to greenlight long-range missile strikes deep into Russian territory, a move Putin has warned would cross all 'red lines' and unleash major escalation.
Bottom Line
The allegations of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine on Russia's behalf have heightened tensions and evoked strong responses from South Korea. The possibility of South Korea supplying artillery shells to Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken by the involved parties. What are your thoughts on this development? Feel free to share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
