South Korean Delegation To Tell NATO About North Korean Army In Russia

JAKARTA - A delegation consisting of intelligence officials and the South Korean government will visit Brussels this week to provide information regarding the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), officials said on Sunday.

On the previous Friday, South Korea's National Intelligence Service stated that a delegation led by Deputy First Director Hong Jang-won would visit NATO headquarters on Monday to explain to the alliance about the growing close military relations between North Korea and Russia.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, reported by Yonhap-OANA, Sunday, October 27, requested the dispatch of the team in a telephone conversation with President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday.

The move comes amid growing concerns over the possible deployment of North Korean troops to fight in the Russian-Ukraine war, following reports that they were gathering in the southwestern Russian Kursk region, where a major Ukrainian attack took place in August.

South Korea's delegation, which also consists of senior military and diplomat officials, is expected to focus on North Korean troop activities and deployments in Russia during this week's meeting.

However, they may also discuss support measures for Kiev, such as sending a team of South Korean officials to Ukraine to monitor the activities of North Korean troops.

Seoul is currently considering options for studying and analyzing North Korean troop military tactics and doctrines.

If sent, the monitoring team will likely consist of North Korean intelligence and expert officials from the spy and military agency, and may participate in the interrogation of the arrested North Korean army.

Officials who are experts in psychological warfare may also join this team to help call on North Korean troops to surrender.

Other support measures that may be discussed this week include the provision of weapons by Seoul to Kiev.

South Korea has so far provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and chose not to send weapons immediately.

On Thursday (24/10), President Yoon stated that South Korea could consider providing weapons to Ukraine, depending on the extent of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

The deployment of North Korean troops in Russia is also expected to be discussed when South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun travels to Washington to meet US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Wednesday (30/10).