Sufficient capability to cope with Russia’s military technology support for North Korea

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun held a press conference after the SCM

He said that "Threats will increase, but does not cause great concern.

A war situation analysis group is necessary … sending troops is not being considered"

He expressed the intention to provide phased support in solidarity with the international community

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is visiting the United States to attend the 56th ROK/U.S. Security Consultative Meeting, holds a press conference at the Korean Embassy in Washington D.C. on October 30.

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun visited the Korea War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on October 30 and dedicated a wreath and bowed to the monument.

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun emphasized on October 30 (local time) that South Korea can sufficiently cope even if Russia provides military science and technology to North Korea in exchange for sending its troops to Russia.

At a press conference held at the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. following the 56th ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), Minister Kim said, "North Korean threats will increase slightly due to the military science and technology support from Russia, and we do not underestimate or overestimate it. "The threats are not something we cannot deal with, and if Korea and the United States strengthen cooperation, it is not a serious concern."

Minister Kim said that North Korea needs advanced technology, such as tactical nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), reconnaissance satellites, and nuclear-powered submarines. He added that the ICBM atmospheric re-entry technology of North Korea is near completion.

He said, "We share information through the ROK-U.S. Alliance and trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S. and Japan, and it is a long way for North Korea to catch up with our surveillance and reconnaissance capability." He acknowledged that North Korea's technology has advanced beyond a certain level, but cautioned against overestimating its capabilities.

Regarding the government's response, he said, "We will provide support to Ukraine on a phased basis to a certain range, and we will act in tandem with the international community while monitoring the overall war situation."

Minister Kim said, "A government team is visiting NATO to collect information, and based on the information obtained from the NATO and local site information, we will set a basic direction."

He added, "The military is definitely not considering sending troops to Ukraine, while a monitoring team or war situation analysis team is a must for the military or the government to prepare for future contingencies."

He noted that as the Russia-Ukraine war has revealed new aspects of modern warfare and there is connectivity in weapon systems between Russia and North Korea, there is a need to analyze these developments to effectively address them. Minister Kim also said, "The information will be useful in protecting the safety of our people and the nation."

Minister Kim visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. before the press conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and dedicated a wreath and bowed to the monument. The two defense officials demonstrated the robust ROK-U.S. Alliance with an honorary guard event, high-level talks, expanded meetings, a joint press conference, and a visit to the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Minister Kim will attend the sixth ROK/U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) on the following day. The meeting will be attended by the two defense officials and Foreign Affairs Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the response to North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia. The 2+2 meeting is taking place three years after one in 2021.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <[email protected]>

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