"North Korea Turned It Into a World War"...Warning from Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State

Former US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan Issues Stark Warning
In Maeil Business Newspaper Interview: "Russia-Ukraine War Could Expand Globally"
"Support Must Consider Ending with a Ceasefire"

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan claimed that “the war between Russia and Ukraine has expanded beyond Europe into a world war due to the participation of North Korean troops.” In an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper on the 30th, Sullivan stated, “What is happening in Ukraine inevitably affects the entire world, including the Middle East and the North Pacific,” and pointed out that it is “an unprecedented case that increases global security risks.” He also explained, “(North Korea’s troop deployment) has become a major concern not only for the South Korean government but also for the United States,” adding, “The war in Ukraine has become a global conflict, shaking peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

U.S. President Joe Biden mistakenly called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "Putin" (the Russian President) during a Ukraine aid agreement event held on July 11 (local time) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC, and then corrected himself. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Ambassador Sullivan served as Deputy Secretary of State during the Donald Trump administration and was stationed in Russia from February 2020 to September 2022, witnessing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine firsthand in Moscow. Recognized as a top expert in this field, he predicted that the war in Ukraine would not end easily, citing Russia’s unwillingness to withdraw and Ukraine’s strong will to resist.

Previously, former President Trump declared that if he won the U.S. presidential election this November, he would end the war “within 24 hours” after taking office, but this was also assessed as unlikely to be realized. Sullivan forecasted, “Since the war in Ukraine has expanded into a global conflict, attempting to end the war could signal that the U.S. is being sidelined in this complex interconnected world war. Therefore, whoever becomes the next U.S. president will find it difficult to make such a decision.” He advised the South Korean government to consider a long-term war, stating, “Even if the war ends, it will likely be more of a ‘ceasefire’ than a ‘formal end of war.’ The South Korean government needs to carefully consider this aspect when planning support measures for Ukraine.”

Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the same day, Kim Yong-hyun, Minister of National Defense, who is visiting the U.S. to attend the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the U.S., commented on the government’s response to North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying, “Support will be provided step-by-step within the possible scope.” Kim emphasized, “Step-by-step means depending on how the situation in Ukraine progresses and in solidarity with the international community,” but clearly stated, “We do not consider troop deployment at all.”

The Presidential Office responded to reports in some media that the government is considering providing 155mm artillery shells as a countermeasure to North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia, stating, “It is incorrect that we are considering directly supplying 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine,” and added, “When the Ukrainian special envoy visits Korea soon, we will specifically discuss what kind of cooperation Korea will have with Ukraine.”