Cho Tae-yeol "Russia and North Korea to take corresponding measures"... Ukraine envoy to visit Korea soon

G7 Summit Meeting... Discussions on Support for Ukraine and More

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Ukraine met to exchange views on issues including the deployment of North Korean troops. Attention is focused on whether South Korea will announce new response measures in line with the upcoming visit of a Ukrainian special envoy to South Korea.

On the 25th (local time), Cho Tae-yeol, South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Andrii Syvukha, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Fauzi, Italy, to discuss the war situation and other matters.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Syvokho met on the 25th (local time) in Fauzi, Italy, during the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting to discuss war developments, including the deployment of North Korean troops. Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister Cho stated, "Due to the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including North Korea's transfer of weapons to Russia and troop deployment, the security of the Korean Peninsula and Europe is more closely connected than ever," adding, "It is concerning that the deployment of North Korean troops has brought the Ukraine war into a new phase." He emphasized, "The South Korean government will take effective measures step-by-step in response to the advancement of Russia-North Korea military cooperation and the threats to our security."

Minister Syvukha stressed the need for a response, saying that the deployment of North Korean troops has created a shared 'security concern' between the two countries. He also expressed hope to closely share information with South Korea to respond to future Russia-North Korea cooperation and said he looks forward to continuing related consultations when the Ukrainian special envoy visits South Korea in the near future. Since President Yoon Suk-yeol's overseas trip schedule has concluded, the special envoy's visit to South Korea is expected to be announced soon.

The "step-by-step measures" mentioned by Minister Cho on this day reaffirm the response policy the government has previously announced. It implies that, depending on the level of North Korea and Russia's close involvement in the war, supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine remains a viable option. Options such as direct weapons support or indirect support through 155mm artillery shells are being discussed. There are also expectations that support scenarios will be detailed in line with the Ukrainian special envoy's visit.

With the deployment and participation of North Korean troops in the war confirmed as a fait accompli, Russia is showing a sensitive reaction to the possibility of South Korea supplying weapons. On the 24th (local time), Andrei Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said in an interview with TASS news agency, "South Korea must realize that if Korean-made weapons are used to kill Russian citizens, bilateral relations could be completely destroyed," adding, "We will respond by all necessary means."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluated that this meeting, the first since the appointment of both ministers, served as an opportunity to establish a close cooperation foundation and reaffirm the South Korean government's solidarity and commitment to helping Ukraine's reconstruction.