South Korea is reportedly considering supplying Ukraine with 155mm artillery shells following North Korea’s alleged deployment of troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine.
This news was revealed by KFN News, the official news channel of the South Korean Armed Forces.
South Korea’s Defense Procurement Act and Foreign Trade Act currently prohibit the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, either directly or through third parties. Both laws would need to be amended for the delivery of 155mm shells to be possible. This development marks another chapter in South Korea’s internal debate on whether to support Ukraine militarily, which was first discussed in July 2023 and again in April 2022. However, despite this consideration, the likelihood of an immediate shift remains unclear as Ukraine continues to await the delivery of K600 mine-clearing tanks, which South Korea had previously pledged.
Tensions escalated after South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed that North Korea had sent around 12,000 soldiers to Russia’s Far East earlier this month, further solidifying Pyongyang’s alignment with Moscow. The NIS has released satellite images and additional evidence showing Russian naval vessels near North Korean ports, allegedly transporting these soldiers. The troops are believed to be receiving training in Vladivostok and other locations to join the fight in Ukraine.
In response, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun summoned Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, to express Seoul’s “grave stance” on the situation. Kim demanded the “immediate” withdrawal of North Korean troops from Ukraine, calling the cooperation between Russia and North Korea a “serious threat” to both South Korea and the international community. He condemned the partnership as a violation of several U.N. Security Council resolutions.
“South Korea will respond with every possible means, alongside the international community, to any acts that threaten our core security interests,” Kim stated during his meeting with the Russian ambassador. He emphasized that any military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang risks destabilizing the Korean Peninsula.
In contrast, Ambassador Zinoviev downplayed South Korea’s concerns, stating that Russia’s cooperation with North Korea is “not directed against South Korea’s security interests” and is conducted within the framework of international law. He also noted that Russia and South Korea hold “opposing positions” on the root causes of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
While the United States and its allies suspect that North Korea is receiving advanced military technology from Russia in return for its support, Washington has not confirmed the reports regarding the troop deployment. U.S. officials have stated that they are still evaluating the situation, emphasizing that there is currently no definitive evidence of North Korean soldiers being deployed to Ukraine.
If true, this deployment would mark a significant deepening of the military ties between North Korea and Russia. The two countries have recently strengthened their relationship, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly signing a new treaty committing to mutual military support in case of an attack.