EU Warns of “Serious Consequences” of N. Korea’s Support to Russia.

BRUSSELS: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the European Intelligence Centre (INTCEN) has confirmed recent reports on the presence of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s troops on Russian soil in support of its war against Ukraine. North Korea is supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia in support of its military efforts against Ukraine, Borrell noted in a statement on Wednesday. According to Kuwait News Agency, the presence of thousands of soldiers cooperating with the Russian army "represents a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and multiple UN Security Council resolutions," according to the statement. Borrell described the deployment of troops to Russia as "a unilateral hostile act" by North Korea with "serious consequences" for peace and security in Europe and the world, calling on North Korea to stop providing support to Russia's war. He warned that continued military support from North Korea to Russia "will be met with an appropriate r esponse." EU High Representative also announced his upcoming trip to Japan and South Korea this week, where he will meet with his counterparts, Foreign Ministers Takeshi Iwaya and Cho Tae-yul, on the occasion of the first strategic dialogues with both countries. Borrell considered his visit "a timely and important opportunity" to discuss these worrying developments that breach the most fundamental principles of international affairs to which the EU and our friends in Japan and South Korea are "profoundly attached." He emphasised that these recent developments "demonstrate how interconnected the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are." Borrell stated that these discussions will be crucial in preparing for the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting to be held on 18 November.