SEOUL – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced on Monday that North Korean troops could soon be deployed to the front lines in Ukraine, potentially sooner than previously anticipated. Yoon shared these concerns during a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, describing the situation as “severe.”
Yoon indicated that South Korea is seeking “practical countermeasures” in partnership with the European Union and its member states, emphasizing the need for intensified monitoring to prevent “illegal exchanges” between Russia and North Korea.
President von der Leyen acknowledged the critical nature of North Korean involvement, warning that it could worsen the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She expressed appreciation for South Korea’s decision to send a delegation to the EU to assist in information-sharing efforts. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also confirmed reports of North Korean military units being deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, marking a notable escalation in the conflict.