Ottawa: South Korea and Canada have jointly called for the withdrawal of North Korean troops that have been dispatched to Russia to support its efforts in the conflict against Ukraine. The deployment has been described by both nations as “a grave escalation” that poses a threat to security across Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the demand was articulated in a joint statement during a “two plus two” meeting involving the foreign and defense ministers of both countries. This meeting took place in Ottawa, with South Korean officials Cho Tae-yul and Kim Yong-hyun, and Canadian officials Melanie Joly and Bill Blair in attendance. The United States has reported that there are currently 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with a significant number stationed in the western front-line Kursk region in anticipation of engaging in the Ukraine conflict.
The high-level meeting marks a significant development in the bilateral relations between South Korea and Canada, following an act
ion plan initiated in July after the “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty signed in May 2023. The joint statement unequivocally condemned North Korea’s military alignment with Russia, which is seen as a violation of several U.N. Security Council resolutions. It further criticized North Korea’s supply of ammunition and ballistic missiles to Russia, supporting what is deemed as Russia’s “brutal and unjustifiable” aggression.
The two countries emphasized their vigilance regarding potential compensations Russia might offer North Korea in exchange for military support. They committed to considering further international measures in response to the growing interconnectedness of security issues in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.
Additionally, the statement denounced North Korea’s continued missile tests, notably the recent launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-19. Both nations reaffirmed their demand for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea’
s weapons of mass destruction.
Canada reiterated its strong backing for South Korea’s aspirations for a unified, peaceful, prosperous, and denuclearized Korean Peninsula. The ministers from both countries agreed to enhance regional cooperation by initiating a “Korea-Canada Indo-Pacific dialogue” and advancing talks for a military and defense confidentiality agreement. Plans were also announced to establish regular army dialogues, with the inaugural session planned to be hosted in Canada.