A handout from South Korea's National Intelligence Service, released on October 18, 2024, features a satellite image by Airbus Defence and Space of Russia's Khabarovsk military facility. The NIS reported that North Korean personnel were seen gathering on the training ground on October 16, 2024. — AFP

South Korea and the European Union united on Monday in condemning North Korea's provision of weaponry to Moscow, demanding the immediate withdrawal of troops sent to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. The EU and South Korea convened their inaugural "Strategic Dialogue" in Seoul, shortly after Washington and Seoul raised concerns about North Korea dispatching soldiers to support Russia. In a joint statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul denounced the North's "illegal arms transfers to the Russian Federation for use in attacking Ukraine." They called for an end to the "illegal military cooperation" and the withdrawal of North Korean forces.

Borrell also met with South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun. "Russia’s aggression against Ukraine poses an existential threat," Borrell stated in a post on X, accompanied by a photo of him shaking hands with Kim. "The Republic of Korea is uniquely positioned to grasp this threat. We stand united in our support for Ukraine. I urged them to intensify their efforts." The two nations also inked a security and defense partnership encompassing 15 areas, including cybersecurity and disarmament.

Foreign Minister Cho hinted last week that Seoul was considering all possible scenarios, including the potential supply of weapons to Ukraine in response to North Korea's support for Russia. South Korea has so far provided non-lethal aid to Ukraine, such as mine clearance equipment, but has declined requests for weapons.

Seoul anticipates that North Korea will receive compensation from Moscow in the form of military and civilian technology, as it accelerates its efforts to launch a spy satellite and enhance its missile capabilities. North Korea recently demonstrated its military prowess with the test of a new, large solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile known as Hwasong-19.

Washington expects the North Korean troops stationed in Russia's Kursk region, which has been partially seized by neighboring Ukraine, to soon join the fight against Ukrainian forces, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During talks in Moscow on Friday, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui affirmed her country's support for Russia until it achieves victory in Ukraine.

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