NATO-Ukraine-South Korea's Anxiety If North Korea Joins Russia in War

Illustration. Sergei Shoigu as Russian Defense Minister in 2015 salutes troops during a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. (en.kremlin.ru)

JAKARTA - North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui visited Russia. This visit was in anticipation of the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Quoting Reuters, Choe's arrival came after NATO and South Korea expressed concern that thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia were moving towards the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Kursk.

Ukraine is also concerned that various sanctions from international bodies and countries imposed on North Korea are unable to restrain interaction between Russia and North Korea in the military field.

Choe arrived in the Russian Far East on Tuesday, October 29 local time, then continued his journey to Moscow.

The Russian government news agency reported that it is still unknown who Choe will meet on his second visit in the last six weeks to Moscow.

The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet scheduled to meet Choe.

On the one hand, when Choe arrived in Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Zelenskiy said that North Korea's actions could bring the war to an unprecedented phase.

"The conclusion is clear - this war is becoming an international war, spreading beyond the two countries," Zelenskiy said on his X social media account.

The South Korean presidential office said Yoon had told Zelenskiy about the "grave threat" looming over his country's security if North Korea accepts Russian assistance.

Especially when North Korea is able to gain military experience and knowledge from involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In response to the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, South Korea admitted that it would supply weapons to Ukraine. This would happen if North Korean troops join Russia against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the United States (US) through the Pentagon on Monday, October 28, said it would not impose restrictions on Ukraine using US weapons if North Korea joins the war.

The presence of North Korean troops in Russia has also been acknowledged by Putin recently. However, what tasks the North Korean troops are carrying out in Russia is still unknown.

Analysts say that the small number of North Korean troops in Russia and their limited capabilities are unlikely to be decisive in the war.

However, their presence could strengthen the Russian army if they are positioned as manual labor or guarding defensive positions.