Russian officers trained for attacks on Japan, South Korea in event of war with NATO, FT reports
One potential target for Russian strikes identified in the plans is a nuclear complex in Tokai, Japan.
South Korea
Zelensky extends condolences over deadly South Korean plane crash
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences on Dec. 29 to the families of victims and the people of South Korea following a tragic Jeju Air plane crash that killed at least 176 people, marking the worst disaster involving a South Korean airline in decades.
Seoul confirms Ukrainian capture of wounded North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast
The confirmation followed a report from Ukraine's military-focused news outlet Militarnyi on Dec. 26, which first revealed the capture without specifying the date of the incident.
Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports
North Korea appears to be preparing to supply more arms to Russia on top of some 20,000 containers it had already sent, the Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 23 based on its analysis of satellite images.
North Korea preparing to ship more troops, drones to Russia, Seoul says
North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops and weapons, including kamikaze drones, to aid Russia in its full-scale war against Ukraine, the South Korean military said on Dec. 23.
At least 100 North Korean soldiers killed, 1,000 wounded in Russia-Ukraine war, South Korean official says
At least 100 North Korean troops have been killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, a South Korean lawmaker said after an intelligence briefing, the BBC reported on Dec. 19.
South Korea imposes new sanctions over Russia-North Korea cooperation
South Korea imposed sanctions on 11 individuals and 15 entities "engaged in illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Dec. 17.
The Week Ahead: Key Developments Impacting Global Politics & Markets
Editor's note: This article is a shortened on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Dec. 9 to Dec. 15. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday. Romania's newly elected Parliament to set
From Pyongyang to Kyiv: North Korea’s Growing Role in the Russo-Ukrainian War
New format at KI Insights — Q&A with experts! The first one is already next week. Join our exclusive Q&A session with Dr. Edward Howell to gain unique insights into Koreas' growing role in the Russo-Ukrainian War. This closed-door event is tailored for subscribers seeking an in-depth understanding of
Ukraine receives $100 million loan for budget expenses from South Korea
In April of this year, Kyiv and Seoul signed an agreement enabling Ukraine to attract up to $2.1 billion in concessional loans over 2024-2029.
North Korea supports Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Umerov says
"For the Republic of Korea, these actions pose a serious threat, as North Korean troops are gaining combat experience, which could present additional security challenges in the region in the future," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said following his visit to South Korea.
South Korean president meets Ukraine's delegation to discuss Moscow-Pyongyang ties
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul on Nov. 27 to discuss the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Umerov-led delegation arrives in South Korea seeking weapons, military aid, media reports
A Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrived in South Korea on Nov. 27, with the aim of requesting military aid from Seoul, several media outlets reported.
North Korea received anti-aircraft missiles, oil from Russia in exchange for troops, reports say
South Korea's national security advisor Shin Won-sik on Nov. 22 said Moscow had provided Pyongyang with economic and military technology in exchange for the troops.
South Korea has not participated in Czech shell initiative for Ukraine, official says
South Korea did not provide artillery shells of its own production, nor did it make financial contributions to the purchase of shells from other countries under the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine from third countries.
Ukraine war latest: Russian mass airstrike on Zaporizhzhia kills 10, injures over 40
Key developments on Nov. 7: * Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia kills 9, injures 42, damages hospital * Ukraine may have targeted Iranian weapon supply routes in Dagestan strike, media suggests * South Korea "not ruling out" supplying arms to Ukraine, president says * Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages buildings, causes fires in five
South Korea 'not ruling out' supplying arms to Ukraine, president says
"Now, depending on the level of North Korean involvement, we will gradually adjust our support strategy in phases," South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told the media. "This means we are not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons."
Trump, South Korean president discuss North Korean troops joining Russia's war
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a phone call on Nov. 7 after the former won the U.S. presidential election, discussing future cooperation.
EU's Borrell asks South Korea to 'set up' aid to Ukraine
"Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an existential threat. The Republic of Korea is best positioned to understand it," Josep Borrell said on X after meeting South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun.
North Korea receiving cash, food, space technology from Russia in return for soldiers, South Korean lawmaker says
North Korean soldiers are believed to receive $2,000 per month for their service from Russia, adding up to a total of at least $200 million annually if calculated by 10,000 soldiers, Wi Sung-lac, a member of the South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee, told The Korea Herald.
'A war of two countries against one' — Zelensky urges Western allies to take decisive action on North Korean troop involvement
In a lengthy post on social media on Oct. 31, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to develop "concrete solutions" to provide additional supports for Ukraine as North Korean troops prepare to engage Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. North Korean soldiers were deployed to Kursk Oblast in late October in
'Putin will not prevail in Ukraine,' even with North Korean help, US defense secretary says
"The evidence now suggests the that North Korea has sent about 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Oct. 30. "And some of these DPRK troops have already moved closer to Ukraine, and we are seeing them outfitted with Russian uniforms and provided with Russian equipment."
Ukraine war latest: North Korean soldiers reportedly 50 km from Ukraine's border
Key developments on Oct. 30: * North Korean soldiers 50 km from Ukraine's border, including special forces, FT reports * Ukraine should strike back if North Korean troops cross into its territory, Biden says * No confidentiality between partners — Zelensky calls out White House over Tomahawk missiles leak * Kremlin denies Russia-Ukraine talks on
South Korea reportedly not considering direct 155 mm ammunition supplies to Ukraine
Seoul has not received such a request from the Ukrainian side, and the matter is not under consideration, a source in the Presidential Office told the South Korean news agency.
Kyiv, Seoul to strengthen intelligence sharing, Zelensky says after call with South Korean president
During the phone call, the presidents agreed to "strengthen the sharing of intelligence and expertise and to intensify contacts on all levels, including on the highest level, to develop a response strategy and a list of countermeasures," the Ukrainian president said.
North Korean troops possibly heading to front lines, language barrier causing problems, says South Korea
The assessment comes shortly after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed on Oct. 28 that North Korea had sent troops to Russia following a meeting with South Korean defense and intelligence officials.
South Korean delegation to visit Ukraine to share information on North Korean troops
A South Korean delegation will visit Ukraine in the second part of the week to share information on North Korea's troops in Russia and discuss cooperation, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Oct. 28, the Yonhap news agency reported.
Ex-North Korean soldiers seek Ukraine deployment to influence former comrades, media reports
A group of almost 200 ex-North Korean soldiers asked to be deployed in Ukraine to help demoralize and influence Pyongyang's troops joining the war on Russia's side, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Oct. 28.
Poland rules out transferring recently-purchased South Korean weapons to Ukraine
Polish President Andrzej Duda said he had talked to Kyiv about the possible transfer of South Korean weapons but that his response to the allies was "unequivocal."
South Korea could 'review' ban on supply of lethal arms to Ukraine, President Yoon Suk Yeol says
South Korean law prohibits the exporting of weapons to active conflict zones, but Seoul has repeatedly hinted that this could change in light of deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
South Korea supplying weapons to Ukraine directly unlikely given legal hurdles, experts say
South Korea has hinted it could change its long-standing stance on not providing Ukraine directly with weapons in light of the dramatic escalation of North Korea's role in Russia's full-scale invasion. So far, Seoul has only provided humanitarian and non-lethal military aid to Kyiv, but on Oct. 22, a South
About 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia to participate in war against Ukraine, South Korean intelligence says
"Signs of troops being trained inside North Korea were detected in September and October," Park Sun-won, a member of a parliamentary intelligence committee, said.
(Updated: )
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