The President of South Korea met with Umierov, with media suggesting that the main topic of discussion may have been arms supplies to Ukraine.

The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, met with a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul on November 27.

The main topic was the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, as reported by the news agency Yonhap.

The Ukrainian minister discussed with President Yoon Suk-yeol "joint steps to enhance security and stability."

Rustem Umerov stated that North Korean forces "actively support" Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Umerov also met with National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

"For the Republic of Korea, these actions (North Korea's involvement in the Russian war – ed.) pose a serious threat, as North Korean troops are gaining combat experience, which could create additional security challenges in the region in the future," Umerov said.

Several media outlets also reported that the Ukrainian delegation visited Seoul with the aim of persuading the East Asian country to start supplying weapons to Kyiv.

Recently, President Yoon stated that the South Korean government does not rule out changing its position and providing defense support in light of North Korea sending troops to Russia.

During the meeting, both parties "agreed to continue exchanging information on the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia and on the transfer of weapons and technologies between Russia and the DPRK, working together with allied countries," the South Korean presidential office reported, according to Yonhap.

It was previously reported that Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 troops to assist Russia in the war, with the first clashes with Ukrainian forces already recorded in the Kursk region. North Korea has also become a major supplier of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Moscow.

Neither the Ukrainian delegation nor South Korean representatives commented on whether Umerov came to Seoul for arms supplies.

Kyiv Independent, citing experts, writes that rapid arms supplies to Ukraine are unlikely due to South Korea's legislative norms regarding arms shipments to combat zones. A recent survey also showed that while the majority of South Koreans see a threat in Russian-North Korean ties, 82% oppose sending weapons to Ukraine.

Experts believe that the most significant support South Korea could provide to Ukraine would be through the supply of ammunition. The country not only has 155mm artillery but also 3.4 million 105mm shells compatible with some Ukrainian guns.

A South Korean official recently stated that direct supplies of 155mm ammunition are not being considered, while Yoon noted that Seoul is currently exploring the possibility of providing "defensive weapons," without giving further details.

Background. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that South Korea changed its mind about supplying weapons to Ukraine due to Trump's victory.