Yoon Talks with NATO Secretary General by Phone: "Closely Cooperating in Response to Russia and North Korea"

NATO Secretary General "High Possibility of North Korean Troops' Full-Scale Involvement"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol had a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the 6th, during which they shared information regarding North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia and its involvement in the Ukraine war, the presidential office announced.

President Yoon stated, "Last week, our government delegation conducted a briefing on North Korea's troop deployment to Russia at the NATO North Atlantic Council and the European Union (EU) Political and Security Committee. Following Brussels, the delegation visited Ukraine to discuss future responses to military cooperation between Russia and North Korea with Ukrainian authorities. We are also discussing the visit of a Ukrainian special envoy to South Korea for in-depth consultations," adding, "We will closely communicate with NATO during the process of consultations with Ukraine going forward."

Secretary General Rutte said, "There is a high possibility that North Korean troops will soon actively participate in the Russia-Ukraine war," and added, "In response to the unprecedented security crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, value-sharing countries including South Korea and NATO must strengthen solidarity."

Additionally, Secretary General Rutte stated, "We have decided to establish a 'Special Task Force (TF)' to strengthen cooperation between NATO and the EU in response to the increasing security threats," and expressed hope that "close communication and cooperation among South Korea, Ukraine, and NATO will continue." He also said, "NATO hopes to enhance defense industry cooperation with South Korea from a mid- to long-term perspective."

This call was the third since Secretary General Rutte took office. The presidential office added, "The government is reviewing various countermeasures against the military closeness of Russia and North Korea, which threatens our core security interests, and will firmly respond to North Korea's provocations and threats together with the international community."