Anchor: Confirming that his troops have engaged with North Korean soldiers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the international community to help his country fight Russia. The Ukrainian president previously asked South Korea to provide its advanced air defense system, but Moscow has cautioned Seoul against getting involved in the war. Experts say the outcome of the U.S. presidential election could influence Seoul’s future course of action. 
Kim Bum-soo has more. 

Report: 

[Sound bite: Various rockets being fired (Location unknown / Released November 4, 2024, by the Russian Defense Ministry)] 

Speaking in his nightly video address Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for help, saying North Korea’s participation in the Russia-Ukraine war opened a new page of instability in the world. 

[Sound bite: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukrainian-English)]
“The first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world. Together with the world, we must do everything to make this Russian step to expand the war — to really escalate it— to make this step a failure. Both for them, and for North Korea.”

Now that North Korea has dispatched troops to fight alongside Russia, South Korea says it is open to sending deadly weapons to Ukraine and may also consider sending military analysts there to monitor the North Korean troops’ activities.

But some experts such as professor Brian Myers at Dongseo University expect Seoul will wait for the outcome of the presidential election in the U.S. before deciding on a course of action.

[Sound bite: Professor Brian Reynolds Myers – Int’l Studies, Dongseo University]
“I think the likelihood is going to depend on who wins the U.S. election. If it’s Harris, there is going to be more chance of a team going than if Trump is elected, in which case South Korea probably would not want to risk burning its bridges with Russia completely by getting involved on the eve of peace negotiations. Now, if elected, Trump is likely to reach out this month, perhaps even this week, and not wait until his inauguration.”

In an earlier interview with KBS, Zelenskyy called on South Korea to provide its advanced air defense system, but Moscow is already warning Seoul not to get involved. 

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned South Korea against intervening in the war in Ukraine, adding there is a need to work on Seoul-Moscow ties.  
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.