South Korea Demands Immediate Withdrawal of North Korean Troops from Russia

South Korea has vehemently protested the reported deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, summoning the Russian ambassador in Seoul to express its strong opposition. On Monday, South Korea’s foreign ministry called for the immediate withdrawal of the North Korean soldiers, citing a significant threat to South Korea’s and the international community’s security.

The protest follows intelligence reports indicating that North Korea has sent an initial group of 1,500 special operation forces to Russia, with plans to deploy up to 12,000 more troops to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. South Korean intelligence has confirmed that these troops were transported to the Russian Far East using Russian Navy vessels.

Vice South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun condemned North Korea’s actions during a meeting with Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev, stating that the deployment breaches UN resolutions and poses a grave security threat. Zinoviev responded by saying that the Russian-North Korean cooperation is in accordance with international laws and not aimed against South Korea’s security interests.

NATO has also taken notice of the situation, with Secretary-General Mark Rutte requesting that South Korea send a delegation to brief NATO on the reports. Rutte expressed concern that North Korea’s involvement could mark a significant escalation in the conflict.

The U.S. and NATO have not confirmed the reports, but the potential involvement of North Korean troops has stoked fears that Russia might provide North Korea with advanced nuclear and missile technologies in exchange for military support. This cooperation has heightened concerns about North Korea’s advancing nuclear arsenal, which is seen as a major security threat to South Korea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also addressed the issue, stating that North Korea’s involvement would significantly elevate the threat level and instability in the region. He called for a strong response from Ukraine’s allies to this new development.