A proposed military exchange could reach far beyond the battlefield, raising fresh concerns about how hard-won combat lessons may reshape security in Asia.
Russia plans to bring in between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean citizens to study the experience of modern warfare against Ukraine. Such cooperation could pose an additional threat to Asian countries and heighten tensions in the Pacific region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the statement. According to him, North Korea could use the knowledge gained from the war to develop its own military capabilities.
It is absolutely clear that North Korea will build up its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia, and obtain all the military tools from them
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine calls on South Korea to strengthen its air defense
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on South Korea to provide Ukraine with air defense systems. He emphasized that Kyiv was ready to cooperate with Seoul in return, particularly in the field of drone technology.
The president noted that South Korea’s Constitution contains restrictions on this type of military cooperation. At the same time, diplomatic representatives of the two countries are already discussing possible areas of cooperation.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia’s involvement of North Koreans in studying combat experience could have consequences not only for the war against Ukraine but also for the security situation in Asia and the Pacific region.