This is a challenge, but we know how to respond to this challenge. It is important that partners do not hide from this challenge as well,
But all of us in the world have an equal interest in ending the war, not in prolonging it. We must therefore stop Russia and its accomplices,
The Ukraine war and its spillover to the Korean peninsula are taking a hard toll on the Seoul-Moscow relationship,
The Kremlin's apparent desire to assure South Korea that its cooperation with North Korea is not a threat to Seoul suggests that the Kremlin remains very concerned about the prospect of Seoul's potential pivot towards providing Ukraine with necessary military support, and the implications of worsened relations with Seoul for Russian security interests in the Asia Pacific region,
I can't confirm those reports, but if that is the case, it's serious."
To me the easiest explanation is that South Korea thinks North Korea is getting something sufficiently valuable for that troop deployment, so that it makes sense to take some risk to impose costs on Russia,
People tend to think that North Korea will just send a few soldiers, receive economic support and get minor military technologies in return. But Kim Jong Un’s perspective is much broader than that,
They won't look very strong if they don't react somehow. And sending weapons to Ukraine is something they are de facto doing already,
Although the number of troops being deployed might be small, the implications of such deployment are significant,
For North Korea, fighting in Russia is not just about helping Russia — it’s seen as participating in North Korea’s own sacred war against the U.S.,
As for the DPRK. Russia is being so careful with this topic, I think, so that China does not react harshly. Moreover, the EU and the United States are also very cautious about this topic. Pay attention to this: they are very cautious. But we are sounding the alarm because we know that these are risks for us,
I think it's because of money [the DPRK supports Russian policy – ed.]. I think North Korea is very poor. They will send their people to the front line to overcome poverty."
I think I saw this open signal from them,
In general, they support us. They have the appropriate, let's say, constitutional status. They are limited in some things. But, nevertheless, we are definitely working together and they are definitely helping,
What we know is that North Korea is already preparing a contingent to fight against Ukraine,
Putin is clearly desperate. His desperation is a danger to us all.”
Sending troops to Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine is a significant security threat not only to our country but also to the international community,
We would consider supplying weapons for defensive purposes as part of the step-by-step scenarios, and if it seems they are going too far, we might also consider offensive use,
As for the so-called military cooperation with Russia, my delegation does not feel any need for comment on such groundless, stereotyped rumours,
Following the deployment of North Korean combat troops, the government will implement phased countermeasures,