South Korea’s Deputy Defense Minister Hints at North Korea’s Role in Ukraine Conflict

The South Korean defense authorities stated that they are tracking the potential involvement of North Korea in the Ukraine war, weighing on the possibility of North Korea providing civilian support to Russia.

In an interview with Yonhap News on Thursday, South Korea’s Deputy Minister Kim Seon Ho, who visited Brussels for the NATO Defense Ministers’ meeting, said that they believe there is a possibility of supporting manpower rather than troops, and that’s why they are paying close attention.

Kim expressed caution regarding Ukraine’s claims of North Korean troop deployments, stating, “The authentication will come after we gather and evaluate more information, whether it’s related to manpower or troops.” He also speculated that if North Korea were to send troops, it would likely be driven by a need to secure regime stability through assurances from Russia, highlighting North Korea’s arms trade with Russia as an act of desperation.

Kim participated in discussions at the NATO meeting, where he addressed security concerns in Ukraine and the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in the context of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between the two nations in June. He emphasized that the deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow present a direct threat to Ukraine, urging NATO members and Indo-Pacific nations (IP4) to respond through collective cooperation.

During the meeting, Kim pointed out that NATO’s invitation to IP4 nations—South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand—underscores the interconnected nature of security concerns in both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. He stressed the need for enhanced strategic information sharing between NATO and IP4 nations, bolstering defense cooperation, and working together to address security challenges to maintain peace and stability in these regions.

Following the session, Kim held a separate meeting with Australia’s Minister for Defense Pat Conroy, Japan’s Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani, and New Zealand’s Minister of Defense Judith Collins to discuss defense cooperation between IP4 nations and NATO, agreeing to continue practical consultations.