Despite Russia-North Korea's declaration of sovereign rights in cooperation, South Korea threatens tough retaliation, even plans to target Ukraine

On October 22, South Korean officials announced that they would take "phased measures" in response to North Korea and Russia's increasing military cooperation.

South Korea has asked North Korea to withdraw troops it has sent to Russia, although Pyongyang has dismissed the rumors as baseless. (Source: Shutterstock)

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the National Security Council (NSC) under the Presidential Office convened an emergency meeting after the National Intelligence Service said that North Korea decided to mobilize about 12,000 troops to support Russia, of which about 1,500 troops were deployed to the Far East.

Although a North Korean official has dismissed the "groundless speculations" from South Korea and Ukraine, and asserted that relations with Moscow are "legitimate and cooperative between two sovereign states," Seoul disagrees.

The NSC said the new developments pose a "serious security threat" to both South Korea and the international community.

Meanwhile, Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Tae-hyo affirmed: "The South Korean government calls on North Korea to immediately withdraw its troops. If illegal military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow continues, Seoul will not stand by and watch but will respond firmly in coordination with the international community."

Mr. Kim Tae-hyo mentioned "phased measures" depending on the level of military relations between Russia and North Korea.

A senior official of the South Korean Presidential Office revealed to the press that one of the scenarios being considered is providing defensive and offensive weapons to Ukraine.

Also according to a source from Yonhap, it is possible that South Korea "will send personnel to Ukraine to monitor the tactics and combat capabilities of North Korean special forces deployed to support Russia."

If deployed, the team is expected to include military personnel from intelligence units who could analyze Pyongyang's battlefield tactics or take part in interrogating captured North Koreans.

South Korea's move comes despite Russia also affirming that it will continue to maintain cooperation with North Korea and develop bilateral relations in all areas because "it is our sovereign right."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bat-chap-tuyen-bo-cua-nga-trieu-tien-ve-quyen-chu-quyen-trong-hop-tac-han-quoc-doa-tra-dua-cung-ran-toan-tinh-den-ca-ukraine-290969.html