Shin Won-sik, National Security Office Chief, Talks with UK National Security Adviser: "Stepwise Response Measures Based on Progress of North Korea Troop Deployment"

Barrow Aide "Continued Close Cooperation with Korea"

Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office
Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 30th, Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office, held a phone call with Tim Barrow, the United Kingdom's National Security Advisor, at Barrow's request, and discussed Korea-UK relations and responses to North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia, the Presidential Office announced.

Director Shin evaluated, "While sharing information on North Korea's troop deployment to Russia, the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a serious issue that threatens security not only on the Korean Peninsula and Europe but worldwide," and emphasized, "Our government will not stand by and will take effective phased countermeasures depending on how the situation develops."

Advisor Barrow expressed concern, stating, "North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia, which directly violates the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions, is a dangerous act that further worsens the situation of the Ukraine war," and said that the UK will send a strong message in response to the military closeness between Russia and North Korea while continuing close cooperation with the Republic of Korea.

Both sides agreed to continue close communication going forward and to strengthen cooperation in defense and security sectors.

Additionally, Director Shin said, "The UK and Korea maintain a close relationship, as evidenced by the fact that a summit between the two heads of state took place just six days after Prime Minister Starmer's inauguration," and added, "We hope to faithfully implement the historic 'Downing Agreement' adopted by the two leaders last November and further strengthen the 'Korea-UK Global Strategic Partnership'." In response, Advisor Barrow expressed strong agreement and said he would work closely to enhance bilateral relations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.