North Korea Arms Russia, But South Korea Still Says No to Ukraine Weapons

South Korea is refusing to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine even as Kyiv says North Korea is supplying Russia with missiles and troops – and accused Moscow of using North Korean ballistic missiles in a deadly overnight barrage.

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine people and wounded dozens overnight, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday.

The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia was the hardest hit, with six people killed and 19 wounded, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“The city was struck with North Korean ballistic missiles, Zircons, and guided aerial bombs,” Zelensky said. “It was a vicious attack, calculated to inflict maximum damage specifically on civilian infrastructure.”

Ukraine has not publicly provided evidence for the claim that North Korean missiles were used in the attack.

Seoul Keeps Weapons Off the Table

A senior South Korean foreign ministry official said Monday that Seoul’s defense exports remain subject to domestic law, signaling that Kyiv’s request for air defense systems and other military equipment has not prompted a policy shift.

“South Korea’s supply of defense materials to any country has always been carried out in accordance with domestic law,” the official told The Korea Times.

South Korea has provided Ukraine with humanitarian assistance and support for energy, infrastructure, healthcare and education, but has maintained a policy of withholding lethal weapons.

Zelensky Warns of More North Korean Troops

Zelensky has repeatedly warned that Moscow and Pyongyang are expanding their military partnership.

On Monday, he said Russia had received “additional ballistic missiles from North Korea.”

Over the weekend, he claimed that “a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia.”

Kyiv has not explained how it obtained those figures or provided a timeframe for the potential deployment.

Zelensky said North Korea was gaining valuable battlefield experience through its cooperation with Russia and urged South Korea to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and other capabilities.

“They have a legal restriction under their Constitution. But we would like to have this cooperation and are counting on it. Our diplomats are in contact,” Zelensky wrote.

Seoul Condemns Pyongyang-Moscow Alliance

South Korea has not confirmed Zelensky’s claims about a new North Korean troop deployment or diplomatic discussions over weapons for Ukraine.

But Seoul has strongly condemned the growing military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang.

“North Korea-Russia military cooperation is directly related to our security and violates United Nations resolutions,” the South Korean official said, according to The Korea Times.

“Our government’s position is that this cooperation should stop immediately,” the official added, saying Seoul was closely monitoring developments.

North Korea Has Become a Key Russian War Partner

Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense pact in June 2024, deepening an alliance that has expanded rapidly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Pyongyang has been accused by Ukraine, South Korea and Western intelligence agencies of supplying Russia with large quantities of weapons and ammunition.

North Korea has also deployed thousands of troops to Russia, including forces sent to help Moscow push Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region.

The partnership gives Pyongyang access to modern battlefield experience while helping Russia replenish manpower and weapons for its war against Ukraine.

Ukraine Faces Growing Ballistic Missile Threat

The latest attacks come as Russia has sharply increased its use of ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities.

The weapons are difficult to intercept, making advanced air defense systems such as the US-made Patriot critical to Ukraine’s ability to protect civilians and infrastructure.

Kyiv has repeatedly warned of shortages of Patriot interceptor missiles as Russia intensifies its missile campaign.

At the same time, Ukraine has expanded its own long-range drone strikes against Russian oil facilities, military-linked infrastructure and logistics hubs, saying the attacks are designed to disrupt Moscow’s war machine and revenue streams.