Seoul outlines conditions for supplying weapons to Ukraine

South Korea has not ruled out the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, with the decision contingent on the extent to which North Korea is involved in the conflict against Ukraine.

Under South Korea's policy, the country refrains from providing arms to nations engaged in conflict. However, this stance may change in light of North Korea's military deployment to Russia in support of its war efforts against Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"In response to North Korea's involvement, we will gradually adjust our support strategy," President Yoon stated. "This means we do not rule out the possibility of providing weaponry.

Recent reports confirm that North Korea has dispatched troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, this move forms part of a "strategic partnership" between Russia and North Korea.

Furthermore, the head of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, warned that North Korean forces could be involved in active combat against Ukraine as early as November.

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence says Russia has equipped North Korean troops with the following weaponry: 60mm mortars, AK-12 assault rifles, RPK/PKM machine guns, SVD/SVCh sniper rifles, Phoenix anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and RPG-7 grenade launchers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the United States has observed around 8,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia's Kursk region.

Starting from November 1, North Korea has deployed a contingent of troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, marking the latest development in the growing cooperation between the two nations since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 via ISW (Institute for the Study of War). The Kremlin is likely to use North Korean forces to bolster its ongoing offensive and alleviate the strain on Russia's military resources.

However, the consequences of deploying North Korean troops to the Ukrainian front extend beyond the battlefield. Pyongyang likely seeks to provide its personnel with combat experience in modern warfare, which could be valuable for future conflicts. This deepening alignment between North Korea and Russia poses a potential long-term threat to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

By Khagan Isayev