Ukraine’s defense chief agrees with South Korean president on strengthening security

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov of Ukraine agreed with the President of South Korea, Yun Suk Yeol to strengthen security amid the involvement of the North Korean military in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defense, Ukrinform saw.

"With President Yun Suk Yeol, we discussed joint steps to strengthen security and stability.

We believe that our arguments on the need to increase cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea will lead to a significant strengthening of security for our peoples and regions," the ministry’s press service quoted Umerov as saying.

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It is noted that Umerov, on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelensky, held meetings in Seoul on November 27 as part of the Ukrainian delegation with the President of the Republic of Korea Yun Suk Yeol, Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, and National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin.

During the meeting, Umerov reported on the evidence of 12,000-strong contingent of North Korean soldiers being embedded with the Russian army. He also reported that the DPRK troops not only provide equipment and manpower to Russia, but also actively support strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

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It is emphasized that for South Korea, the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine poses a serious threat, since North Korean troops are gaining combat experience, which in the future may create additional security challenges for the region.

As reported earlier, the South Korean president previously stated that Seoul would make a decision on the transfer of weapons to Ukraine depending on the scale of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.