Seoul (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell carried out talks with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul, amid rising concerns over the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia for its war with Ukraine.
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has called on South Korea to increase its support for Ukraine, against the backdrop of growing security concerns concerning North Korea’s potential military engagement with Russia. The EU’s chief diplomat made his proposal during a visit to South Korea, where he is engaging with officials on a range of security problems, including North Korea’s alleged purpose to deploy troops to support Russian military efforts in Ukraine.
In a post on X, Borrell underlined his talks with South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik, during which the two leaders discussed shared security challenges. Borrell’s visit to South Korea followed diplomatic meetings in Japan and included a visit to the heavily reinforced Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which divides North and South Korea.
I met Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun on DPRK & other common security challenges. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an existential threat. The Republic of Korea is best positioned to understand it.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 4, 2024
We are united in our support to Ukraine. I encouraged them to step it up. pic.twitter.com/LvKTzBXzYO
How is South Korea’s aid limited to non-lethal support?
Recent intelligence reports indicate that North Korea may deploy troops to Russia, supporting its long-standing alliance with Moscow and potentially turning dynamics in the Ukraine conflict. Both US and South Korean defence authorities have extended concerns over the prospect, fearing that such an intervention could destabilise the situation additionally. South Korea has thus far abstained from providing lethal military aid to Ukraine, restricting its support to non-lethal aid and humanitarian assistance.
South Korea’s careful approach to military aid for Ukraine is affected by its regional security environment, marked by persistent strains with the North and its alliance commitments to the United States.
