Seoul wants N Korean troops to leave Russia immediately
Requesting the “immediate withdrawal” of North Korean troops it claims are being prepared to fight in Ukraine, South Korea has called in the Russian ambassador.
Seoul’s intelligence service estimates that 1,500 North Korean soldiers, including special forces personnel, have already reached Russia.
South Korea’s vice-foreign minister Kim Hong-kyun condemned the action and said that Seoul would “respond with all measures available” during a meeting with ambassador Georgiy Zinoviev.
Although Mr. Zinoviev stated that he will communicate the concerns, he emphasized that Moscow and Pyongyang’s collaboration is “within the framework of international law.”
What collaboration he was talking about is unclear. The envoy refuted claims that North Korea had dispatched soldiers to engage in combat with Russian forces.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, informed reporters later on Monday that the two countries’ collaboration is “not directed against third countries.”
As reported by the Russian state news outlet Tass, he said that it “should not worry anyone”.
Regarding the accusations, Pyongyang has remained silent.
Though it claims that the current situation goes beyond the transfer of military equipment, South Korea has long accused the North of providing Russia with weaponry to use in the conflict against Ukraine.
According to certain South Korean media sources, up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers are anticipated to be sent in.