South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul on Nov. 27 to discuss concerns over deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The meeting highlighted shared concerns about Pyongyang’s military support for Moscow, including troop deployments and arms supplies.
During discussions, both sides agreed to continue sharing intelligence on North Korean troop movements and arms transfers to Russia.
They emphasized cooperation with allied nations to address these developments.
Ukrainian officials also met with South Korea’s National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to exchange further intelligence.
North Korea has reportedly sent over 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, with reports of initial clashes in Kursk Oblast.
Pyongyang has also emerged as a key supplier of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Moscow.
While Ukraine’s delegation is widely believed to have sought military assistance from Seoul, South Korea’s government has been cautious due to legal restrictions on providing weapons to active conflict zones.
However, President Yoon recently indicated a potential shift, stating that defensive support could be considered in response to North Korea's military engagement with Russia.
Experts suggest South Korea could provide critical ammunition support, particularly 155 mm and 105 mm rounds compatible with Ukrainian artillery.
However, direct supplies of 155 mm ammunition remain off the table, with Seoul exploring other forms of defensive assistance.
A recent poll revealed that while most South Koreans view Russian-North Korean ties as a security threat, 82% oppose sending arms to Ukraine, underscoring the domestic challenges faced by the South Korean government in making such decisions.
