South Korea Pledges Action on North Korean Troops

Yoon discusses strategic response and enhanced military collaboration with Poland
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Oct 25, 2024 1:45 AM CDT
South Korea Pledges Action on North Korean Troops
Polish President Andrzej Duda, right, and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda offer a wreath at the National Cemetery in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.   (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed not to remain passive in response to reported deployments of North Korean troops aiding Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. His assertion follows discussions with Polish President Andrzej Duda aimed at enhancing defense cooperation amid the unfolding conflict. This development comes as US and South Korean authorities assert that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops have been assigned to Russian training facilities, with plans for up to 10,000 by year-end, according to South Korea's intelligence agency.

Yoon stressed that North Korea's military support to Russia violates the UN charter and threatens global security. He vowed that South Korea would collaborate with international partners to devise counterstrategies. These measures could include various diplomatic, economic, and military actions, potentially escalating to the provision of defensive and offensive weaponry to Ukraine—a significant policy shift for Seoul.

South Korea, a growing arms supplier, has so far restricted its Ukraine support to humanitarian aid, avoiding direct arms supplies due to longstanding policies restricting the supply of weapons to countries engaged in active conflict. Nonetheless, during the meeting, Yoon and Duda endorsed further military equipment shipments between their countries, notably advancing a deal for Korean K-2 tanks. This aligns with Poland's recent arms procurements from South Korea, which include tanks, howitzers, and missile launchers, as it strengthens its defenses against Russian aggression. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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