South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador, seeking the “immediate withdrawal” of North Korean troops which it says are being trained to fight in Ukraine.

About 1,500 North Korean soldiers, including those from the special forces, have already arrived in Russia, according to Seoul’s spy agency.

In a meeting with the ambassador Georgiy Zinoviev, South Korea’s vice-foreign minister Kim Hong-kyun denounced the move and warned that Seoul will “respond with all measures available”.

  • Nougat@fedia.io
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    14
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    22 days ago

    I would think that fewer DPRK soldiers on the Korean peninsula, and more or them defecting, captured, wounded, or killed in Ukraine would be good for South Korea.

    • Carmakazi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      39
      ·
      22 days ago

      I think DPRK’s hope is that at least some soldiers and officers will return with some modern combat experience, something that their military organization is dreadfully lacking. It could end up being a bigger problem down the road for ROK even if they lose a few thousand bodies.

      • barsoap@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        22 days ago

        They can’t really take them back they’ve seen the outside world.

        • stephen01king@lemmy.zip
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          21 days ago

          All they’re seeing is western Russia and war torn Ukraine. Not really an impressive view, is it?

          • barsoap@lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            edit-2
            21 days ago

            If you’re from a starving country and have been told all your life that everywhere else is worse, a war zone without famine is bloody impressive.

    • basmati@lemmus.org
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      88
      ·
      22 days ago

      South Korea prides themselves on threatening to destroy the relatively hostage North. The north can’t do anything without the South’s approval, or it gets wiped out.

      It’s not about practicality or safety, it’s purely about punishing the north for wanting freedom.