Moscow on Wednesday (October 23, 2024) refused to confirm or deny reports of North Korean troops being sent to Russia, and told reporters they should “ask Pyongyang” where its troops were. file | Photo Credit: AP
Russia moved to ratify a major defense deal with North Korea on Thursday (Oct 24, 2024), while South Korea warned it would “not sit idle” if Pyongyang deployed thousands of troops to help. . Moscow fights Ukraine,
Seoul’s spy agency says thousands of people North Korean soldiers are currently training in Russia More are expected to be deployed to the front lines in Ukraine soon, with thousands more to be sent by December.
Lawmakers in the lower house of Russia’s parliament voted unanimously on Thursday (Oct 24, 2024) to approve a treaty with North Korea that provides for “mutual assistance” if either side faces aggression. .
The agreement will now be sent to the upper house Federation Council for approval.
Both houses of parliament act as rubber stamps for the Kremlin.
The West believes that North Korea is already providing weapons to Moscow for use in attacks on Ukraine.
“South Korea will not remain silent on this,” South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said of Pyongyang’s reported military deployment after talks with visiting Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Both countries agreed that North Korea’s deployment was “a provocative action that threatens global security beyond the Korean Peninsula and Europe,” he said.
South Korea, one of the world’s top 10 arms exporters, has long resisted calls from its allies, including Washington, to supply arms to Kiev.
But it has indicated it may review the policy in light of North Korea’s actions and Mr Yoon said on Thursday (Oct 24, 2024) that Seoul “will take necessary action in cooperation with the international community” to respond. .
Pyongyang and Moscow have grown closer after Russia launched a 2022 military invasion of Ukraine.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised the Russian President Vladimir Putin As his country’s “dearest friend”.
Moscow on Wednesday (Oct 23, 2024) refused to confirm or deny reports of North Korean troops being sent to Russia, and told reporters they should “ask Pyongyang” where its troops were.
tanks for poland
Seoul has already sold billions of dollars worth of tanks, howitzers, fighter planes and rocket launchers to Poland, Kiev’s key ally.
In June, South Korea agreed to transfer the knowledge needed to make the K2 tank to Poland, which experts have said could be an important step toward production inside Ukraine’s territory.
The two countries will “actively support the successful progress of Korea-Poland defense cooperation,” Mr Yoon said.
“This will include signing a second contract for South Korean K2 tanks by the end of the year,” he said.
They also announced that they would “strengthen joint efforts for the restoration of peace and reconstruction in Ukraine” and “will continue to expand support for the Ukrainian people and work closely with Poland in this process”.
President Duda’s four-day visit to South Korea will conclude on Friday with stops at Hyundai Rotem, the manufacturer of K2 tanks, and Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest defense contractor.
Hanwha Aerospace has signed a $1.64 billion deal with Poland for the supply of rocket artillery units.
A South Korean official in the presidential office told reporters on Tuesday that Seoul “will support (Ukraine) through defensive weapons, and if things get out of line, we can consider sending offensive weapons”.
Before the meeting between Mr Yun and Mr Duda, a North Korean balloon carrying garbage landed on the presidential compound in Seoul.
Local media reported that it contained propaganda leaflets ridiculing the South Korean president and his wife.
Photos released by local media show a sign with a photo of South Korea’s first lady Kim Keon Hee, which reads: “Queen Kim Keon Hee, a figure who is a symbol of luxury and indulgence as Marie Antoinette Are rivals.”
published – October 25, 2024 11:23 am IST