Kremlin concerns about prospect of South Korea providing Ukraine with weapons - ISW

The Kremlin is very concerned about the prospect of South Korea providing the necessary military support to Ukraine against the background of russia's deepening cooperation with the DPRK and the announcement of the deployment of North Korean troops for training in the russian federation.

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Thus, analysts note that russia appears to be trying to reduce tensions in relations with South Korea after credible reports of increased North Korean cooperation with russia, including warnings from South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence that a contingent of North Korean troops has been deployed for training in russia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea has summoned the russian ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, in connection with reports of the deployment of a North Korean military contingent in russia.

At the same time, the russian embassy in South Korea falsely presented the event as a voluntary meeting, as opposed to a diplomatic summons, and, in particular, said that any cooperation between russia and North Korea "is not directed against the security interests" of Seoul.

In addition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that cooperation between russia and North Korea "should not cause concern" in other states, and that information about the alleged presence of North Korean troops on russian territory may be "contradictory."

"The apparent desire of the Kremlin to assure South Korea that its cooperation with North Korea does not pose a threat to Seoul indicates that the Kremlin remains very concerned about the prospect of a potential turn by Seoul to provide Ukraine with the necessary military support, as well as the consequences of deteriorating relations with Seoul for russian interests of security in the Asia-Pacific region," ISW summarized.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, South Korea is considering sending a group of intelligence officers to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops deployed to support russia. The country's government is also considering the option of providing armed support to Ukraine.

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