South Korea says it plans to send analysts to Ukraine to study modern warfare trends

On 31 October, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun said that sending a team of observers or analysts to Ukraine is a clear duty for the South Korean military, which will study modern warfare trends, according to Yonhap. Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, North Korea has supplied Moscow with at least 11,000 containers of ammunition, including approximately 2 million artillery rounds since 2023. Additionally, South Korea’s intelligence reports say Pyongyang has sent 3,000 troops to Russia, with plans to deploy 10,000 by December. According to the Ukrainian military, the first North Korean units, after training at Russia’s eastern grounds, have already arrived in Russia’s Kursk Oblast combat zone.

“Throughout the history of various wars, including the Iraq War, we have repeatedly sent monitoring and combat experience analysis teams to countries engaged in conflict,” Kim Yong Hyun said after meeting with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin in Washington.

The South Korean defense minister clarified that observers will analyze trends and various aspects of modern warfare.

“It is especially important now that we have confirmed the redeployment of North Korean troops to Russia, as it will allow our analysts to learn about North Korean troop movements and tactics. So, not sending such a team to Ukraine would mean neglecting our duty,” explained Kim Yong Hyun.

Later, during a meeting with Korean journalists, the South Korean defense minister emphasized that these are analysts only, and Seoul is not considering sending troops to support Ukraine in response to North Korea’s military assistance to Russia.

“The deployment of a monitoring or analytical team is absolutely necessary for our military and government to consider in preparing for any potential emergency that may arise in the future,” he claimed.

He also suggested that in exchange for large-scale military assistance from North Korea, Russia might transfer advanced weapons technologies to Pyongyang for missile development, reconnaissance satellites, and nuclear submarines.

“Even if Russia offers advanced technology to North Korea, South Korea is capable of countering potential threats from it. Russian military-scientific and technical support to Pyongyang could increase threats, but it should not be overestimated,” the minister said.

He added that, amid the rapid intensification of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, the South Korean government would provide aid to Ukraine in stages within its capabilities.

Related:

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• South Korea to send delegation to Ukraine this week over North Korean troop presence
• New research estimates North Korean arms supplies to Russia at $5.5 billion