The North Korean army will send 12,000 men to join the Ukrainian front to fight alongside the Russians. The news last week caused a stir. Around 3,000 of these soldiers could be deployed to the Kursk region in the coming days.
North Korea's supply of weapons and troops to Russia for the war in Ukraine “ poses a significant threat to the security of not only South Korea, but also the international community », declared the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian ambassador in Seoul had been summoned and the withdrawal “ immediate » soldiers sent by Pyongyang demanded. A request rejected by Moscow.
In recent days, South Korean media have reported that the South Korean government will not allow this red line to be crossed. “Government calls for immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops“, Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Tae-hyo asked again on Tuesday during a briefing reported by the Yonhap agency.
Shells by the millions
«If illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia continues, (South Korea) will not stand idly by but will react firmly in collaboration with the international community“, Mr. Kim further declared. Of the “progressive measures» will be implemented in response to their military ties. “ We are considering supplying defensive weapons » and could “ ultimately consider offensive use », Also confided the South Korean presidential office to journalists.
Among the options considered by Seoul, the delivery of 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine, ammunition used for example by the Caesar cannons. The only downside: it is a munition widely used by the South Korean army which will have difficulty emptying stocks, while a possible conflict with the North remains possible.
On the other hand, in an article published in March 2024, the Center for strategic & international studies (CSIS) indicated that South Korea's arsenals were overflowing with 105 mm shells, a type of ammunition used less and less in the army South Korean. “ According to public reports, South Korea has approximately 3.4 million 105mm artillery shells. These munitions would be compatible with all 105mm howitzers used by Ukraine», Indicates the author.
Military personnel in Ukraine?
This stock corresponds to approximately one year of shell consumption by Russia in Ukraine. These 105 mm shells are less powerful than the 155 mm shells but Ukraine has cannons capable of firing them. And South Korea could also get rid of 200 K105 mobile howitzers at the same time.
The Yonhap agency notes that Seoul also has the possibility of sending South Korean-made K9 self-propelled howitzers, K2 battle tanks and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers. But such massive military aid would imply Seoul's full commitment to the conflict, which remains extremely unlikely.
But Seoul also does not rule out sending military personnel to Ukraine. “ It is possible that personnel could be sent to Ukraine to monitor the tactics and combat capabilities of North Korean special forces sent in support of Russia ” a South Korean government source told Yonhap. These soldiers could also be used during interrogations, if North Koreans were captured. These would not be combat troops.
