North Korea Arms Russia, South Korea Says No to Ukraine Weapons

South Korea has declined to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine despite allegations that North Korea is supplying Russia with missiles and troops. Ukrainian officials claim that Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in a recent attack, causing at least nine deaths and dozens of injuries, particularly in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia.

South Korea's defense exports are governed by domestic law, meaning Kyiv's request for air defense systems and other military equipment has not yet led to a policy change. Ukraine has not provided concrete evidence for the North Korean missile claim. South Korea has been offering non-lethal assistance, such as humanitarian aid and support for energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has repeatedly warned about a growing military partnership between Russia and North Korea, noting that Russia has received "additional ballistic missiles from North Korea" and potentially as many as 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory. The South Korean foreign ministry has strongly condemned the expanding military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, stating that it violates United Nations resolutions and poses a threat to Seoul's security.

Both countries have been accused of supplying Russia with weapons and troops, with North Korea reportedly providing large quantities of weapons and ammunition and sending thousands of troops to Russia, including forces to assist in the Kursk region.