The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell called on South Korea to step up its support for Ukraine during his visit to Seoul on 4 November, amid concerns over North Korean troops being sent to Russia.

Borrell’s visit comes as Washington and Seoul raise alarms over North Korea sending troops to Russia for its war against Ukraine.

South Korea reported on 29 October that 3,000 North Korean troops were training in Russia, with a planned increase to 10,000 by December. Ukraine’s intelligence confirmed initial units had arrived in the Kursk combat zone.

Russia has intensified military ties with North Korea since February 2022, securing ballistic missiles and more than 2 million artillery rounds, with both countries signing a mutual defense pact in June.

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an existential threat. The Republic of Korea is best positioned to understand it. We are united in our support of Ukraine. I encouraged them to step it up,” Borrell wrote on X.

The Borrell’s visit included a stop at the heavily fortified demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, followed by meetings with South Korea’s defense minister to discuss North Korea and shared security challenges.

South Korea has previously provided non-lethal aid to Ukraine, including mine clearance equipment, while resisting Kyiv’s requests for weapons. South Korea has so far refrained from providing lethal weapons to Ukraine.

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