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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Wi Sung-rak: Seoul closely watching Russia-North Korea military cooperation amid troop deployment rumors

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South Korea's National Security Advisor, Wi Sung-rak, stated that Seoul is closely monitoring military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, deeming it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
  • Wi mentioned that Seoul is paying significant attention to the situation, including combat operations in Ukraine and Russia-North Korea cooperation, due to its implications for South Korea's security and international affairs.
  • Responding to a question about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claim of North Korea planning to send 30,000 troops to Russia, Wi did not directly confirm or deny the deployment but emphasized that all nations must adhere to Security Council resolutions.

South Korea is closely observing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, with National Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak emphasizing that such collaboration violates UN Security Council resolutions. Wi stated that Seoul has "great interest and concern" regarding this military cooperation.

Russia and North Korea’s military cooperation is something we are watching with great interest and concern. Such military cooperation violates UN Security Council resolutions.

— Wi Sung-rakSouth Korea's National Security Advisor commented on the military ties between Russia and North Korea.

Speaking to reporters in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while accompanying the president on a South American tour, Wi addressed the issue. He noted that Seoul is paying close attention to developments, including combat situations in Ukraine and the broader cooperation between Russia and North Korea. This scrutiny stems from the potential impact on South Korea's own security interests and the wider international political landscape.

When questioned about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's assertion that North Korea plans to dispatch 30,000 troops to Russia, Wi refrained from a direct confirmation or denial. However, he stressed the principle that all countries must abide by Security Council resolutions, particularly permanent members like Russia, which hold a responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

The combat situation in Ukraine, including cooperation between Russia and North Korea, is a matter of our primary interest.

— Wi Sung-rakNational Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak highlighted the significance of Russia-North Korea cooperation for South Korea.

"Any country must adhere to Security Council resolutions, and this is even more true for a responsible permanent member state," Wi remarked, underscoring Russia's obligation to comply with these international mandates. He added that military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is directly linked to security and cannot be viewed as an external matter.

Any country must adhere to Security Council resolutions, and this is even more true for a responsible permanent member state.

— Wi Sung-rakWi Sung-rak emphasized the obligation of all nations, especially permanent Security Council members, to follow UN resolutions.

Wi concluded by stating that South Korea intends to monitor the events in Ukraine meticulously and will strive to prevent further escalation, aiming instead for de-escalation and resolution. The government is committed to understanding and verifying any relevant information as it becomes available.

We are closely watching what is happening in Ukraine and intend to respond accordingly. We aim to prevent further deterioration and move towards de-escalation and resolution.

— Wi Sung-rakNational Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak outlined South Korea's approach to the conflict in Ukraine.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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