US officials stress Russia’s sole responsibility for deployment of North Korean troops in its war of aggression with Ukraine

South Korea's president met a Ukraine delegation and called for a joint response to North Korea's sending soldiers to support Russia's war on Ukraine.

South Koreans remain widely opposed to directly supplying arms to Ukraine, recent polls show, despite renewed international requests from Kyiv and allied capitals after North Korean troops were reported to be helping Russia.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul on Nov. 27 to discuss the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported.

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said he had discussed joint steps to strengthen security and stability with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol while on a visit to Seoul on Wednesday.

Russia will respond “in every way that we find necessary” if South Korea sends arms to Ukraine, a top Kremlin official said Sunday.

"For the Republic of Korea, these actions pose a serious threat, as North Korean troops are gaining combat experience, which could present additional security challenges in the region in the future," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said following his visit to South Korea.

South Korea's spy agency says that North Korea has recently supplied additional artillery systems to Russia to support its war efforts against Ukraine.

The US, South Korea and others say North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. What Russia would give North Korea in return has been the focus of keen attention.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses South Korean parliament via video link at National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea April 11, 2022. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SEOUL (Reuters) - South Koreans remain widely opposed to directly supplying arms to Ukraine,