By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

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South Korea's Foreign Ministry reportedly summoned Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev on Oct. 21 in protest over North Korea's deployment of its soldiers to fight Russia's war in Ukraine.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-gyun reportedly summoned Ambassador Zinoviev to the Foreign Ministry building in Seoul around noon to convey the South Korean government's concerns and protest over North Korea's deployment of its special forces to fight Russia's war in Ukraine, which was announced by the National Intelligence Service on Oct. 18.

The National Intelligence Service confirmed last week that the North sent 1,500 soldiers to Russia's Far East earlier this month to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine and is preparing to send more troops.

This is the third time this year that Korea’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Ambassador Zinoviev as relations between Russia and North Korea have tightened.