Yoon condemns North Korean troop deployment to Russia

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 24, 2024, 17:10 Updated : October 24, 2024, 17:10
President Yoon Suk Yeol (right) shakes hands with Polish President Andrzej Duda during a summit at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul on Oct. 24. Courtesy of the Presidential Office
SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia as a "provocation that threatens global security" during a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Seoul on Thursday. Yoon made clear that South Korea would not tolerate such actions.

Speaking from the presidential office in Yongsan, Yoon said, "We strongly condemned North Korea's nuclear and missile developments, provocations, and illegal military cooperation with Russia. We agreed that North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia, in violation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, threatens global security beyond the Korean Peninsula and Europe."

Yoon added, "South Korea will not stand idly by. We will take necessary steps in coordination with the international community."

Yoon's remarks came a day after the U.S. confirmed evidence suggesting North Korean troops had been sent to Russia. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that their potential involvement in the Ukrainian conflict could have serious repercussions for Europe, South Korea, and the Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders also pledged to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, and other industries, including progress on additional homegrown K2 tanks, while working toward North Korea's denuclearization and improving human rights in the North.

In addition, Yoon and Duda agreed to collaborate on expanding zero-carbon energy production, including nuclear and renewable energy, and to increase aid to Ukraine.

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