Kremlin expresses concern that South Korea can provide military aid to Ukraine - ISW
Moscow fears military assistance from Seoul to Kyiv (photo: Getty Images)
Recently, information emerged that troops from North Korea had been deployed to Russia. Now, the Kremlin is concerned that South Korea may provide military assistance to Ukraine, according to a report from the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts suggest that Russia is likely making significant efforts to reduce tensions with South Korea. This comes after credible reports emerged regarding the intensification of cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including warnings from South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence that a contingent of North Korean troops had been deployed for training in Russia.
In light of this information, South Korea's Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev. However, the Russian embassy in South Korea misrepresented this event as a voluntary meeting rather than a diplomatic summons. The embassy also claimed that cooperation between Russia and North Korea is not aimed at undermining the security interests of Seoul.
Additionally, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea should not cause concern among other countries, and that information regarding the alleged presence of North Korean troops in Russia could be controversial.
ISW conclusion
Analysts believe that the Kremlin's clear desire to reassure South Korea that its cooperation with North Korea does not threaten Seoul indicates that Russia remains highly concerned about the potential shift in South Korea towards providing necessary military support to Ukraine. This also reflects the Kremlin's worries about the implications of deteriorating relations with Seoul for Russia's security interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Russia has previously attempted to court Seoul in order to mitigate the impacts of its growing reliance on North Korea," the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted.
Earlier, it was reported that Seoul may send its military and intelligence personnel to Ukraine, as a response to the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
