Escalation with unpredictable outcomes: Ottawa and Seoul issued a statement regarding North Korean troops in Russia.

Canada and South Korea condemned the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, urging Moscow to immediately and completely withdraw its troops from all Ukrainian territory.

This was stated in a joint statement by the foreign and defense ministers of both countries, Mélanie Joly and Bill Blair, along with Choe Tae-yul and Kim Yoon-hyeon, made during their "two plus two" meeting in Ottawa, as reported by Ukrinform.

“We strongly condemn the deepening military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, which violates numerous UN Security Council resolutions, including the provision of millions of ammunition and ballistic missiles to support Russia's brutal and unjustified aggressive war in Ukraine,” the statement reads.

Ottawa and Seoul expressed concern over the dispatch of a large number of North Korean soldiers to Russia, calling it a significant escalation with unpredictable consequences for security and stability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

“We call on North Korea and Russia to immediately cease this illegal and destabilizing activity and withdraw North Korean troops from Russia,” the signatories noted.

The ministers also emphasized that both countries are closely monitoring what Moscow provides to Pyongyang in exchange for weapons and military support, including the possible transfer of sensitive technologies to advance North Korean programs for the production of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.

Heads of foreign affairs and defense ministries of Canada and South Korea condemned any country’s support for Russia’s military economy through the transfer of dual-use materials or weapon components and equipment that enable the aggressor nation to continue its illegal war in Ukraine.

“We call on Russia to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its troops from all Ukrainian territory to its internationally recognized borders; we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that her country is extremely concerned about information regarding the potential involvement of North Korean troops in combat operations against Ukraine and calls for maximum pressure on Pyongyang and Moscow.

Photo: Getty Images