On Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2024), Moscow refused to verify or deny experiences of North Korean troopers being despatched to Russia and informed reporters to “ask Pyongyang” the place its troops have been. Archive | Photograph credit score: AP
Russia moved to ratify a key protection pact with North Korea on Thursday (Oct 24, 2024), whereas South Korea warned it might not “stand by” if Pyongyang deployed 1000’s of troops to assist Moscow battle in opposition to Ukraine.
Seoul’s spy company says 1000’s of North Korean troopers are presently coaching in Russia and are more likely to quickly deploy to the Ukrainian entrance, with 1000’s extra to be despatched in December.
Lawmakers within the decrease home of Russia’s parliament voted unanimously on Thursday (Oct. 24, 2024) to ratify a treaty with North Korea that gives for “mutual help” if both facet faces aggression.
The settlement will now be despatched to the higher home, the Federation Council, for approval.
Each homes of Parliament act as rubber stamps for the Kremlin.
The West believes that North Korea is already giving Moscow weapons to make use of in its offensive in Ukraine.
“South Korea is not going to sit idly by on this,” South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned of experiences of Pyongyang’s troop deployments, after talks with visiting Polish President Andrzej Duda.
The 2 international locations agreed that North Korea’s deployment was “a provocation that threatens world safety past the Korean Peninsula and Europe,” he added.
South Korea, one of many world’s prime 10 arms exporters, has lengthy resisted calls from its allies, together with Washington, to provide weapons to kyiv.
But it surely has hinted it might evaluate this coverage in gentle of North Korea’s actions, and Yoon mentioned Thursday (Oct. 24, 2024) that Seoul would “take crucial measures in cooperation with the worldwide neighborhood” to reply.
Pyongyang and Moscow have grown nearer since Russia launched its 2022 army offensive in opposition to Ukraine.
North Korean chief Kim Jong Un praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as his nation’s “dearest good friend.”
On Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2024), Moscow refused to verify or deny experiences of North Korean troopers being despatched to Russia and informed reporters to “ask Pyongyang” the place its troops have been.
Tanks to Poland
Seoul has already offered billions of {dollars} value of tanks, howitzers, assault planes and rocket launchers to Poland, a key ally of kyiv.
In June, South Korea agreed to switch the data wanted to construct K2 tanks to Poland, which consultants say might be a key step towards manufacturing inside Ukraine.
The 2 international locations “will actively assist the profitable progress of protection cooperation between Korea and Poland,” Yoon mentioned.
“This may embrace signing an settlement on a second contract for South Korea’s K2 tanks earlier than the top of the yr,” he added.
In addition they introduced that they’d “strengthen joint efforts to revive peace and reconstruction in Ukraine” and “proceed to develop assist for the Ukrainian folks and work intently with Poland within the course of.”
President Duda’s four-day go to to South Korea will finish on Friday with a cease at Hyundai Rotem, producer of the K2 tanks, and Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest protection contractor.
Hanwha Aerospace has signed a $1.64 billion take care of Poland to provide rocket artillery models.
A South Korean official within the president’s workplace informed reporters Tuesday that Seoul would “assist (Ukraine) by means of defensive weaponry, and if issues get uncontrolled, we might contemplate sending offensive weapons.”
Earlier than the assembly between Yoon and Duda, a North Korean balloon carrying rubbish landed on the presidential complicated in Seoul.
Native media reported that it contained propaganda leaflets ridiculing the South Korean president and his spouse.
Pictures printed by native media confirmed a brochure with the {photograph} of South Korean first girl Kim Keon Hee, together with the phrase: “Queen Kim Keon Hee, a determine that rivals Marie Antoinette, the epitome of luxurious and indulgence “.
Printed – October 25, 2024 11:23 am IST
