Reports or confirmations from credible international news agencies or government statements

South Korea Weighs Supplying 155mm Shells to Ukraine as U.S. Warns of North Korean Troop Support to Russia

Oct 22, 2024, 05:38 AM

Reports from officials in Ukraine and South Korea indicate that North Korea may have dispatched troops, potentially numbering in the thousands, to aid Russia in the war in Ukraine. In response, South Korea's presidential office has stated that supplying offensive weapons to Ukraine remains a possibility, marking a potential shift from its usual policy against exporting arms to conflict zones. Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Tae-hyo mentioned a 'phased approach' to military support, including an assessment of the offensive capabilities of supplied weapons. South Korean media outlet KFN News reported that the government is considering supplying Ukraine with 155mm artillery shells and may amend the Acquisition and Foreign Trade Acts to enable this. The United States Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, warned the UN Security Council that if North Korea is sending soldiers to fight alongside Russia, it would be a 'dangerous and highly concerning development.' South Korea is also reportedly contemplating sending military and intelligence personnel to Ukraine to assist with interrogations and translations if North Korean soldiers are captured, as mentioned in a Newsweek report. Additionally, discussions include the potential provision of 3.4 million excess shells to Ukraine.