Yoon and NATO Chief Discuss Joint Responses to North Korea’s Troop Deployment to Russia.

Seoul: President Yoon Suk Yeol and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a phone conversation to discuss coordinated responses to North Korea's troop deployment to Russia, in support of its war in Ukraine. This marks the third phone discussion between Yoon and Rutte in less than a month, following a South Korean delegation's visit to NATO, the European Union, and Ukraine.According to Yonhap News Agency, during the call, President Yoon expressed that Seoul is making arrangements for a Ukrainian special envoy's visit to South Korea. The purpose is to share information and coordinate joint responses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close communication with NATO. The NATO chief indicated that North Korean troops are anticipated to engage in combat against Ukraine imminently, highlighting the need for strengthened solidarity among South Korea, NATO, and other like-minded nations to address the security crisis.Rutte announced that NATO plans to launch a special task force to enhance cooperation with the EU in response to the escalating security threats. He expressed hope for continued close communication and cooperation among South Korea, Ukraine, and NATO.Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the initial combat engagement between North Korean troops and Ukrainian forces, noting that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers are positioned in Russia's Kursk region. A senior presidential official mentioned that North Korean troops on Russia's western front have not yet fully engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces, indicating the need for further monitoring to ascertain the commencement of full-scale combat.