South Korea considers weapons for Ukraine: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hinted on Thursday at the possibility of his country supplying weapons to Ukraine. This shift comes as tensions rise following allegations that North Korea is sending troops to support Russias aggression in Ukraine. Yoon emphasized that South Korea “wont sit idle” amid such developments, signaling a potential change in South Koreas longstanding policy of not providing arms to nations actively involved in conflict.North Korean troops allegedly deployed alongside Russian armyYoons comments followed a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, where defense cooperation was a key focus. The meeting came just a day after U.S. and South Korean intelligence reports revealed that around 3,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia, with more expected by the end of the year. South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS) informed lawmakers that North Korea aims to send up to 10,000 troops to Russia, further escalating concerns about North Koreas involvement in the conflict.Both Russia and North Korea have denied the presence of North Korean troops, but South Korean officials are preparing to respond based on the level of cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.South Koreas potential shift in policyDuring the press conference with Duda, Yoon expressed the possibility of South Korea supplying weapons to Ukraine if North Korea continues to deepen its military cooperation with Russia. “If North Korea dispatches special forces to the Ukraine war as part of Russia-North Korea cooperation, we will support Ukraine in stages and also review and implement measures necessary for security on the Korean Peninsula,” Yoon said.Although South Korea has so far refrained from supplying lethal weapons to countries in conflict, Yoon suggested a more flexible stance could be adopted depending on North Koreas military activities.A senior South Korean official, speaking anonymously earlier this week, also indicated that various options are being considered, including both defensive and offensive weapon systems. This would mark a significant departure from South Koreas previous approach, which has been limited to providing humanitarian aid and non-lethal support to Ukraine while joining U.S.-led sanctions against Moscow.Strengthening defense ties with PolandYoon and Duda also discussed enhancing military cooperation, with both leaders agreeing to “actively support” further deliveries of South Korean arms to Poland. Poland, which has signed a series of arms deals with South Korea in recent years, is seeking to bolster its military capabilities in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. The two countries are working to finalize a new agreement involving South Korean K-2 tanks by the end of the year.Worsening tensions on the Korean peninsulaThe situation on the Korean Peninsula has deteriorated since 2022, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accelerating the development of his nuclear weapons and missile programs. Experts believe that in exchange for sending troops to Russia, North Korea could seek major technological transfers from Moscow, particularly in the areas of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarines, further heightening the threat posed by Kims arsenal.While it is unclear how effective North Korean troops would be on the battlefield, given their lack of modern combat experience and outdated weaponry, analysts suggest Kim Jong Un sees the deployment as an opportunity to expose his forces to contemporary warfare and technologies.South Korean Defense Ministers responseSouth Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voiced strong criticism of North Koreas alleged actions during a parliamentary hearing, calling the deployment of troops to Russia “selling away its troops to an illegal invasion.” He further stated that North Korean soldiers sent to Ukraine would likely be used as “cannon fodder” under Russian command, with no operational autonomy.“Troop deployment is just a phrase, and it would be more appropriate to call them mercenaries,” Kim remarked, highlighting that the North Koreans would be operating in Russian uniforms, following orders without any control over their own actions.
