European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell attends a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium Oct. 17. Reuters-Yonhap
The European Union's (EU) foreign policy chief has highlighted the need for supporting Ukraine in "all aspects," including military aid, amid concerns over North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia.
Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, made the remarks as South Korea signaled a potential shift in its Ukraine support policy -- from providing nonlethal aid to possibly supplying weapons -- following reports that Pyongyang has sent thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Moscow in the war against Kyiv.
South Korea's presidential office said it will take "phased" steps depending on the progress of military cooperation between the North and Russia.
"We are strongly concerned by the deepening of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia," Borrell said in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency prior to his trip to Seoul this week.
"More than two years in, Russia's war on Ukraine poses a threat to global security. We must ensure sustained support for Ukraine in all its aspects, including possibly military aid," he said.
Borrell, a former Spanish foreign minister, is known for his outspoken support for providing Ukraine with weapons.
"I will be interested in discussing (with South Korea) how we can further coordinate our efforts to ensure the broadest support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," he said.
Borrell arrived in Seoul on Sunday for talks expected to address the developments on the North's troop deployment to Russia, among other issues. On the same day, he paid a visit to the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas.
On Monday, Borrell was set to meet with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul for the launch of a strategic dialogue between the EU and South Korea, and sign a new security and defense partnership with Seoul.
Borrell said the new partnership will allow more "operational, actionable and mutually beneficial" cooperation on a wide range of issues, from maritime security, cyber and hybrid issues, like foreign information manipulation and interference, to nonproliferation and disarmament.
"Of course, these domains could evolve and expand, depending on our needs and the common challenges we face," Borrell said.
He called the EU's partnership with South Korea important, particularly at a time when geopolitical tensions run high with the North's troop deployment.
The United States has said about 10,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia, with 8,000 of them sent to the front lines near Ukraine expected to join the combat soon.
The Ukrainian defense intelligence agency has claimed Russia deployed more than 7,000 North Korean soldiers, armed with rifles and mortar rounds, to areas near the border with Ukraine.
"The security of both our regions are closely linked," Borrell said. "Our first Strategic Dialogue marks a new chapter in strengthening our relations," he said.
Borrell condemned Russia for abandoning its nonproliferation obligations and violating the U.N. Security Council resolutions that it itself voted for.
He said it's crucial to watch what the North gets from Russia in exchange for the arms and troop support.
"I will use my visit to discuss how we can respond to it," Borrell said. "We need a united response."
The top EU diplomat is set to soon end his five-year term once the new EU commission is launched around next month.
Borrell will be succeeded by Kaja Kallas, former Estonian prime minister. (Yonhap)
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