South Korea is reportedly considering sending military and intelligence personnel to Ukraine, following news that North Korea has dispatched soldiers to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. This potential move has raised concerns about escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, especially as North Korea strengthens its military ties with Russia. South Korean media reported that the government is reviewing a plan to send personnel, including intelligence officers, to assist Ukraine with information about North Korean military tactics.

This consideration follows reports that North Korea has sent 12,000 special forces troops to Russia, with 1,500 already in the Russian Far East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed alarm, stating that North Korea’s involvement could signal the beginning of a larger, global conflict. South Korean personnel, if sent to Ukraine, would assist in interrogations and provide intelligence regarding North Korean military operations, aiding Ukraine in its defense against Russian forces bolstered by Pyongyang’s involvement.

Seoul has thus far provided humanitarian aid to Kyiv, but is now contemplating lethal military assistance. South Korea’s Defense Ministry stated that it is keeping an “open attitude” towards the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine. The involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s war effort is seen as a serious escalation, leading South Korea to reconsider its stance on direct involvement in the conflict.

Russia has remained tight-lipped about the role of North Korean soldiers in its operations, dismissing the reports as contradictory. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, while acknowledging North Korea as a partner, insisted that the cooperation is not aimed at any third country, attempting to downplay international concerns about this growing military alignment.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has actively denounced the cooperation between Russia and North Korea, calling for increased collaboration with NATO. In a recent phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Yoon emphasized the need for information sharing and security cooperation to counter the evolving threat. As the situation develops, South Korea’s potential military support to Ukraine could mark a significant shift in the global dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.