21 October, 2024
Valerii Riabykh, a military expert and development director at Defense Express, discussed how South Korea can work with Ukraine given North Korea’s support for Russia.
Нe spoke about this on Espreso TV.
“Right now, a new foundation for cooperation between Ukraine and South Korea is being established. For South Korea, it’s important that some personnel who might have defected cannot be involved at this stage because they would be participating in Russian aggression against Ukraine. South Korea is also interested in making sure that those who gain combat experience don’t return. These two factors align, creating new opportunities for South Korea to support Ukraine more actively,” he said.
“A new basis for cooperation between Ukraine and South Korea is being formed. It’s important for South Korea that some personnel who could threaten them cannot do so right now, as they would be fighting in the war against Ukraine. South Korea also wants to make sure that those who gain combat experience don’t return. These two factors align, opening up new opportunities for South Korea to support Ukraine more actively,” he said.
This is particularly relevant to long-range weapons.
“South Korea could transfer long-range weapons produced, which come in a wide variety and large quantities. This includes two types of ballistic missiles with different ranges, from 120 kilometers to up to 1,000 kilometers, all using similar warheads weighing between 150 kilograms and one ton. Additionally, South Korea has effective cruise missiles, especially the KTSSM-II, which is similar to the ATACMS. Similar missiles are also being considered for sale to Poland, which is buying a large number of Korean K239 Chunmoo systems. These systems are like HIMARS, from which these missiles are launched. There are two versions: one can reach up to 180 kilometers with a 500-kilogram warhead designed for anti-bunker use, and the other can fly up to 300 kilometers,” the military expert noted.
Russia-North Korea military cooperation
- On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.
- South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.
- At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia’s plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.
- Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.
- Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.
- On October 19, reports surfaced that North Korea had sent 1,500 special forces to Russia.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also noted that North Korean KN-23/24 missiles, used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine, contained Western components.
- Finally, on October 21, it was reported that 18 North Korean soldiers had been detained by Russian forces after attempting to desert their positions in the Kursk region. These troops are expected to participate in future assaults against Ukrainian forces.
“South Korea also wants to make sure that those who gain combat experience don’t return. These two factors align, opening up new opportunities for South Korea to support Ukraine more actively,”
If South Korea doesn’t want any north koreans to gain combat experience and return to the hermit kingdom, then the country should give Ukraine all the means necessary to kill them all. Maybe South Korea could even send their own troops to Ukraine. They could directly kill the north korean meat puppets, gain combat experience, and show the pussies in Europe and the US what courage and determination looks like.
They will not do that. Civilised countries are reluctant in sending their citizens to die on foreign soil. This is something what dictators are willing to do. What amazes me instead is the refusal of the same civilised countries to pour billions into making weapons and ammunition. They can literally out produce ruzzia, iran, north korea with little effort. I mean, the budget of NATO alone is bigger than the entire gdp of ruzzia. Add Japan and South Korea to that and ruzzia can be outgunned in a couple of weeks. The fact that a country with a gdp lower than Italy can blackmail the entire planet is mind blowing
It’s all in the perspective of things. I don’t consider sending troops to Ukraine as a measure to let them die. They can fight indirectly for their own country, gain extremely valuable experience, and do the right thing. South Korea and any other free nation could even ask for volunteers to do this.
Instead of doing that they should send 1000 rockets…. 10000 rockets or even more. They should send a million drones, thousands of artillery pieces… what’s the purpose of being a rich country if you can’t militarily outmatch a country that has a medieval age gdp?
I’d be perfectly happy with 1000 missiles. And the other stuff, too.