Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha on the occasion of attending the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Fauzy, Italy on the 25th (local time) and discussed the North Korean military’s dispatch to Russia and South Korea’s countermeasures. Opinions were exchanged regarding support for Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 26th, Minister Cho said, “The security of the Korean Peninsula and Europe are more closely interconnected than ever due to illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including North Korea’s arms transfers and troop dispatches to Russia,” and “The Ukrainian war is aggravated by the deployment of North Korean troops.” “I am concerned that we are entering this new phase,” he said. He added, “The government will gradually take effective measures commensurate with the progress of North Korea-Russia military cooperation and the threats to our security.”
Accordingly, Minister Sibiha emphasized the need to respond, saying, “North Korea’s deployment of troops has raised common security concerns between the two countries,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “We hope that the Ukrainian special envoy will be able to visit Korea in the near future and continue related discussions,” he said. “We will continue to closely share related trends and information with South Korea in order to strictly respond to illegal North Korean-Russian military cooperation in the future.” “I hope,” he explained. Minister Sibiha also expressed gratitude for our government’s support to Ukraine.
Minister Cho mentioned the government’s ‘Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative’ and said, “We will continue to provide the multifaceted support that the Ukrainian people need,” and added, “We look forward to meaningful discussions when the Ukrainian special envoy visits Korea.”
It is reported that Ukraine is pursuing a plan to send Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to Korea as a special envoy. As the war in Ukraine appears to be escalating due to the North Korean military’s dispatch to Russia, the government’s stance is that it will continue necessary discussions when the Ukrainian special envoy visits Korea. However, with the launch of the ‘Trump second term’ scheduled for next year, there are speculations that the Korean government will be cautious about supporting Daewoo Ukraine’s previously announced lethal weapons.
Reporter Shin Gyu-jin [email protected]
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How might South Korea and Ukraine’s collaboration evolve in terms of military and humanitarian support?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Security Expert on Recent Developments in Ukrainian Conflict
Time.news Editor (E): Welcome, Dr. Lee, and thank you for joining us today. We recently saw Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol engage with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Italy. Can you provide an overview of the key topics discussed during their meeting?
Dr. Lee (L): Thank you for having me. The meeting was significant, primarily focusing on the escalating military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in light of North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia. Minister Cho brought attention to how this affects security dynamics not just in the Korean Peninsula but also in Europe, highlighting the interconnections that now exist due to these developments.
E: That’s a crucial point. Minister Cho expressed concerns about the implications of North Korea’s actions on the ongoing Ukraine war. How do you interpret this new phase of military collaboration?
L: The concern is valid and multi-faceted. North Korea’s military support to Russia could exacerbate the conflict in Ukraine. It suggests deeper military ties between the two nations, which could lead to a more aggressive Russian posture in Ukraine. This shift not only heightens security concerns for South Korea but also for European nations, as it could embolden Russian actions across multiple fronts.
E: Exactly. Minister Sibiha noted that North Korea’s involvement raised common security concerns for both South Korea and Ukraine. How do you see this collaborative approach evolving in the future?
L: The collaboration between South Korea and Ukraine is likely to deepen, especially as Ukraine looks to enhance its military resilience. With Minister Sibiha hinting at the possibility of a Ukrainian special envoy visiting Korea, we can expect more strategic discussions around defense strategies and intelligence sharing. This could create a more united front against the backdrop of North Korean and Russian militarization.
E: Interesting. The article touches on the ‘Ukraine Peace and Solidarity Initiative’ mentioned by Minister Cho. What kind of support could Ukraine expect from South Korea under this initiative?
L: The initiative seems to be aimed at providing comprehensive support to Ukraine, not only in terms of humanitarian assistance but potentially also in military support, though that remains a delicate issue politically. Given the current global climate, South Korea might prioritize non-lethal assistance while also preparing to address the evolving security landscape shaped by North Korean-Russian ties.
E: You mentioned the political sensitivity of military support—how might future U.S. political dynamics, particularly the potential “Trump second term,” affect South Korea’s approach to providing military assistance to Ukraine?
L: If a “Trump second term” were to happen, South Korea might adopt a more cautious stance towards military support. Trump’s administration had a rather transactional approach to international relations which could influence South Korea’s decisions regarding support for Ukraine, especially with respect to lethal aid. They may need to balance domestic political sentiments and their international commitments more carefully in that context.
E: Thank you for that insight, Dr. Lee. Before we wrap up, what do you think is the most important takeaway from the recent discussions between South Korea and Ukraine?
L: The key takeaway is the increasing recognition that security threats are interconnected across regions. As situations like the Ukraine war evolve, nations such as South Korea understand that their own security is tied to developments far beyond their immediate borders. This underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing shared security challenges.
E: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for your valuable perspectives. It’s clear that the dynamics of global security are shifting, and the relationships between countries will play a crucial role moving forward.
L: Thank you for having me. It’s important we keep the conversation going on these critical issues.