South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul declared that maintaining normal diplomatic relations with Russia is impossible as long as Moscow continues its illegal invasion of Ukraine. In a bold speech at the 2024 JoongAng Forum, Cho condemned Russia for violating international law by receiving North Korean artillery, missiles, and even troops. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed that 1,500 North Korean soldiers have already been deployed to Russia, escalating tensions.
Cho warned that North Korea could face international criminal responsibility for its involvement, while also criticizing Pyongyang for focusing on provocations instead of dialogue. He called for China to play a more active role in curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and military ties with Russia. As the Ukraine war continues, Cho’s message was clear: diplomatic normalcy with Russia is off the table.
