In a decisive statement on Monday, South Korea and the European Union jointly condemned North Korea’s reported arms supply to Russia and the alleged deployment of North Korean troops to aid Moscow’s military efforts in Ukraine. This stern stance came during the first “Strategic Dialogue” held between the EU and South Korea, underscoring the mounting global tension surrounding North Korea’s deepening involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The strategic meeting between EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul comes just days after warnings from both Washington and Seoul regarding North Korea’s suspected military support for Russia. The allegations have raised serious concerns about the escalation of the conflict and the potential shift in international power dynamics, with North Korea reportedly set to benefit from Russian advancements in military and civilian technology.
In a joint statement, Borrell and Cho demanded an end to North Korea’s “unlawful military cooperation” with Russia. They denounced Pyongyang’s involvement as a “grave violation of international norms” and called for an immediate withdrawal of any North Korean troops stationed in Russian-held territories in Ukraine.
“The EU and South Korea stand firm against North Korea’s unlawful arms transfers to the Russian Federation for use in the Ukraine conflict,” said Borrell and Cho in their statement. “This cooperation is unacceptable, and we urge North Korea to immediately cease its involvement.”
Borrell also held discussions with South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, where he reiterated the EU’s stance against Russian aggression and highlighted the unique perspective South Korea brings to the issue. In a post on social media platform X, Borrell wrote, “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an existential threat. The Republic of Korea understands this well. We are united in our support for Ukraine, and I encouraged them to step it up.” The post included a photograph of Borrell shaking hands with Kim, symbolizing the deepening EU-South Korea alignment on security matters.
South Korea’s Potential Arms Supply to Ukraine: A Consideration Amid Shifting Alliances
This diplomatic dialogue marks a critical turning point in South Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Although South Korea has thus far limited its support to non-lethal aid, such as mine clearance equipment, it has faced mounting pressure to consider providing direct military assistance to Ukraine. When questioned last week about whether Seoul might reconsider its arms policy in light of North Korea’s alleged support to Russia, Cho Tae-yul suggested that all possibilities were under review.
“Given the North’s actions and growing military cooperation with Russia, we are considering all scenarios to ensure regional stability and uphold international law,” Cho stated. Despite this, South Korea’s stance has traditionally been cautious, with officials weighing the geopolitical risks of more overtly opposing Russia and North Korea. However, recent developments suggest that Seoul may reevaluate its policy to better align with EU and U.S. initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine.
Further solidifying their cooperation, the EU and South Korea signed a comprehensive security and defense partnership agreement encompassing 15 key areas, including cyber security and disarmament. This wide-ranging partnership reflects a deepening strategic alignment between South Korea and Europe on matters of global security, with both parties committed to addressing shared threats.
The Agreement
- Cybersecurity Cooperation: Enhanced measures to counter cyber threats, especially those emanating from hostile states.
- Military Training and Intelligence Sharing: Joint training exercises and intelligence-sharing initiatives aimed at bolstering defense against regional and global threats.
- Disarmament and Non-Proliferation: Collaborative efforts focused on nuclear disarmament and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
These initiatives signal a commitment by South Korea and the EU to strengthen regional stability and prevent the proliferation of weapons and technologies that could destabilize global security.
As part of the evolving geopolitical calculus, experts suggest that North Korea is leveraging its relationship with Russia to gain access to critical military and civilian technologies. Seoul has voiced concerns that, in exchange for its support, Pyongyang might receive advanced Russian technology to aid in its missile and satellite programs, two areas of critical interest for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Last week, North Korea conducted a successful test of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-19, showcasing its advancements in missile technology. Solid-fuel missiles like the Hwasong-19 provide a significant strategic advantage as they require less preparation time, are harder to detect, and can be launched more swiftly than liquid-fuel missiles. This recent development has raised alarms among neighboring countries, including South Korea and Japan, as well as the United States, which has condemned the test as a “reckless provocation.”
The United States has raised alarms over evidence that North Korean troops may be present in Russia’s Kursk region, which borders parts of Ukraine currently under Russian control. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns last week that these troops could soon join the fight against Ukrainian forces, a move that would represent a significant escalation in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
Washington’s concerns are rooted in satellite intelligence and reports from local sources, which indicate increased North Korean military activity near the front lines. This, in combination with North Korea’s vocal support for Russia, has heightened fears of a prolonged conflict and the potential for further regional destabilization.
During talks in Moscow on Friday, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui reiterated Pyongyang’s commitment to backing Russia “until it achieves victory in Ukraine.” Choe’s remarks underscore North Korea’s stance as one of the few international supporters of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, further isolating the reclusive nation from the international community.
Analysts believe that North Korea’s alliance with Russia is primarily motivated by a desire to strengthen its own military capabilities. With Moscow facing international sanctions and diplomatic isolation, it is increasingly turning to allies like North Korea to fill critical gaps in its military supply chains. In return, Pyongyang likely expects substantial technological support to advance its own defense and space exploration ambitions.
