President Yoon Suk Yeol met with a visiting Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov 루스템 우메로브 for discussion on dealing with the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

According to the presidential office on Wednesday, Yoon expressed hope for the two sides to jointly seek effective measures in responding to security threats posed by North Korea's troop deployment in support of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine.

Umerov said he had been ordered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to actively seek ways of cooperation with South Korea amid North Korea and Russia's advancement in military cooperation.

The minister said Seoul's various means of support have offered assistance to the Ukrainian people, before expressing hope to bolster security cooperation with South Korea as it tackles an unprecedented crisis.

Amid foreign media reports that the delegation was expected to put forth a list of weapons it hopes Seoul would provide, including anti-aircraft missiles, the presidential office did not offer a direct reference to any discussion on such a request.

According to Reuters, Umerov wrote via Telegram on Thursday that his country believes its arguments about the need to increase cooperation with South Korea will lead to a tangible strengthening of security for both peoples and regions.