Washington: Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun stated that sending a South Korean team of observers or analysts to Ukraine is an "obvious" task for the South Korean military, emphasizing the importance of learning from this endeavor. Kim noted that failing to send such a team would be considered a "dereliction of duty." According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim highlighted historical precedents where South Korea dispatched monitoring teams during conflicts like the Iraq war. During a press briefing after talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, he elaborated on the critical role these teams play in analyzing modern warfare trends. With confirmed reports of North Korean troops in Russia, Kim asserted that this mission could offer valuable insights into North Korean military movements. In a subsequent meeting with Korean reporters, Kim clarified that Seoul is "not at all" contemplating sending troops to support Ukraine. Instead, he stressed the necessity of dispatching a monitoring or analysis t eam to prepare for potential emergencies. Addressing North Korea's provocative actions, such as launching trash balloons into the South, Kim described these as nearing a violation of the armistice agreement from the 1950-53 Korean War. He assured that South Korea is preparing various responses to these provocations. Kim speculated on what North Korea might receive from Russia in exchange for troop deployments, suggesting that advanced military technologies could be part of the deal. He warned that North Korea might seek enhancements in tactical nuclear arms, intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites, and nuclear-powered submarines. Despite potential technological transfers from Russia to North Korea, Kim expressed confidence in South Korea's ability to counteract any resultant threats. He advised against overestimating the implications of such support. The minister affirmed that South Korea's assistance to Ukraine would proceed "in phases," based on the war's progression and internati onal solidarity. South Korean officials are actively gathering information from NATO and Ukraine to form a comprehensive stance on the conflict. When these officials return, they will consolidate insights from NATO and Ukraine to establish South Korea's fundamental position on the matter.