The involvement of North Korean troops in the war is an escalation and a violation of international law, emphasized South Korea's Permanent Representative to the UN, Hwang Jung-guk, during the meeting.
"North Korean military forces could engage in combat operations in Ukraine sooner than we think. This would further escalate the conflict. It is estimated that over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the start of the war. Russia continues to feed its soldiers into this bloodthirsty military machine. And now they want to do the same with North Korean soldiers. [...] The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to both the European continent and Asia. Such unprecedented support from Pyongyang to Moscow alters the entire dynamic and geopolitical landscape on the Eurasian continent. This will have serious implications for the Korean Peninsula," he stated.
In his view, the cooperation between Russia and North Korea will lead to the transfer of military technologies and the development of Pyongyang's armaments.
South Korea urges Russia to end the war, immediately withdraw its troops from Ukraine, and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the diplomat added.
Most members of the Security Council noted that the involvement of North Korean troops is an escalation.
The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, stated that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a direct violation of several UN Security Council resolutions. "Russia voted for these resolutions and is now violating them. This undermines not only international peace and security but also the authority and mandate of the Security Council itself," she emphasized.
US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Robert Wood, remarked that the Kremlin has turned to North Korea for assistance in the war due to its sense of helplessness. An escalation is occurring that threatens global security, he added.
The American diplomat reported that according to US intelligence, North Korea has already sent 10,000 troops to Russia, who are likely to bolster the Russian army on the front lines, with some already positioned near the Ukrainian border. Wood urged Russia not to involve North Korean troops in the war.
If they are used on the battlefield, it would signify the beginning of a serious escalation of the conflict.
"This decision will also demonstrate that Russia needs external support due to its losses. This situation leads to a breach of security and peace in the region," he added, reminding that the cooperation between these two countries violates several international treaties and UN Security Council resolutions.
"Russia continues to depend on other partners in its war, which could lead to catastrophic consequences in the Eurasian region. Russia must stop. It needs to end the war. It is never too late to withdraw troops from Ukraine and start restoring its position. The international community must act to protect Ukraine from Russia and North Korea. Even a partial victory for Russia and North Korea would significantly undermine global stability," Wood emphasized, assuring support for Ukraine from the United States. "There is only one safe solution – the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine."
Russia's Permanent Representative, Vasily Nebenzya, responding to the remarks of Security Council members, spoke of the "impudence" of his colleagues and "disinformation." He claimed that the destruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa and the drama theater in Mariupol, as well as the crimes of Russian occupiers in Bucha, are "all blatant lies," and made several propaganda statements without providing any evidence to support his claims.
Commenting on the accusations regarding the cooperation between Russia and North Korea, Nebenzya stated that "even if what was said were true," then why do the US and its allies "try to impose on the world a rotten logic" whereby the West has the right to assist Ukraine, while "Russia’s allies cannot do the same."
The Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN, Geng Shuang, expressed concern that the "conflict" continues, energy infrastructure is being destroyed, and civilians are suffering. He urged the "parties" to refrain from actions that violate international humanitarian law and to ensure peace for the civilian population, so that "the consequences of the war do not become irreversible."
He also called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
"China's position is clear. We are always on the side of peace and dialogue; we have always promoted peace and sought diplomatic solutions. This position of China should become the foundation for building the Global South initiative regarding the search for sustainable peace and creating conditions for a political resolution of this conflict," he added.
The Chinese diplomat did not mention the involvement of North Korea in the war, stating that his colleagues referred to the "situation on the Korean Peninsula." Regarding this, Beijing also has a "clear" position – it calls for peace and security on the peninsula.