Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at a warehouse hit by Russian missiles in Kyiv on Aug. 5, 2026. (AP/Yonhap)
Warning that North Korea will deploy another 30,000-50,000 troops to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked South Korea to provide Kyiv air defense systems as the country suffers extensive damage from Russian missile attacks after depleting its interceptor missile stocks.“North Koreans appear on the territory of the Russian Federation from time to time. We see this, we know this. At first, we were talking about hundreds, then thousands, and now a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia,” Zelenskyy said in an interview he posted to X. He also warned that the North could threaten other Asian countries by learning modern warfare tactics through experience gained on the battlefield.“We have already found North Korean missiles on the territory of Ukraine,” he added.On Wednesday, Ukrainian intelligence said the North plans to deploy missile units to Russia, and Kyiv reported at least five deaths this month after a North Korean missile hit a civilian home in central Ukraine.“Therefore, in my view, the Republic of Korea should have closer cooperation with Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. “We would very much like to receive support from South Korea in an area where we have a shortage. That is air defense systems.”“And we are ready to work on the Drone Deal and other areas as well,” he added. “Our diplomats are in contact.”Ukraine is increasingly unable to defend against Russian missile attacks as its stockpiles of interceptor missiles have run out, resulting in mounting casualties. On Wednesday, Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, four Zircon missiles and 115 unmanned jet-powered drones on Kyiv and other areas. Ukraine could not intercept any of them, resulting in at least 17 deaths and over 40 injuries.Since the war in Ukraine broke out in 2022, Seoul has maintained a policy of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine. Though the Yoon Suk-yeol administration raised the possibility of supplying such arms, only safety equipment such as those to detect and clear mines was sent.South Korea did, however, sell 100,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery shells to the US in 2022 and loaned 500,000 more in 2023, and Washington has provided its surplus shells to Ukraine.
