As North Korea signals the possibility of sending up to 30,000 additional troops to Russia, the Russia–Ukraine war is entering a new phase.
Halyna Yanchenko, a Ukrainian Member of Parliament, stated in an exclusive interview with The Korea Daily at the Aspen Security Forum on July 18 that the growing alignment between Russia and North Korea represents the emergence of a real “Axis of Evil.” She emphasized that “the most effective humanitarian aid to stop the war is weapons.”
Yanchenko is a member of Ukraine’s ruling party, Servant of the People, and is considered one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s closest allies. She also leads the Ukrainian parliamentary task force for defense industry investment.
Q: The war has entered its third year.
A: “It’s the most devastating war since World War II. Every day, between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., Russia launches hundreds of drones to attack residential areas and hospitals in Ukraine. It has become routine to wake children at dawn and evacuate to the bathroom. We have nowhere to run. Many of our citizens have voluntarily enlisted, including successful entrepreneurs and artists. The entire population is standing together.”
Q: Is the North Korean military a significant threat?
A: “Rather than a direct threat, I see it as an indicator of Russia’s true nature. Russia aligns more naturally with authoritarian states like North Korea and Iran. They share a common approach—suppressing human rights and freedom. While the West hesitates, Russia strengthens its ties with these nations, creating a modern-day ‘Axis of Evil.’”
Q: What are your thoughts on the potential deployment of more North Korean troops?
A: “It poses a serious challenge for Ukraine, and it’s something Western countries should be concerned about as well. However, we have the motivation—we are defending our homeland. In contrast, many Russian soldiers don’t even understand why they’re being sent to fight.”
Q: How are you responding to the growing Russia–North Korea–Iran cooperation?
A: “We are raising global awareness that the ‘Axis of Evil’ is becoming real. These countries are testing the West’s ability to respond. Their weapons and technology-sharing alliance poses a grave threat to international security.”
Q: President Trump seems to have shifted his stance toward President Zelenskyy.
A: “It appears Trump has finally realized he was deceived by Putin. He promised to end the war during the previous election and gave Putin many opportunities after taking office. But Russia ignored them. Putin has always been that way—Ukraine has held over 200 rounds of negotiations with Russia since 2014, but Russia has never honored a single agreement. Ukrainian negotiators were even poisoned with toxic agents in Belarus. Strong pressure is the only solution.”
Q: How is Ukraine attracting foreign investment in its defense industry?
A: “We started by encouraging domestic investment and passed relevant legislation to build a dynamic defense ecosystem. We also created an environment where new technologies can be tested in real combat conditions. As a result, our defense industry has grown 35-fold in just three years. Many international companies are now showing interest.”
Q: South Korea has only provided humanitarian aid so far.
A: “The more weapons we have, the fewer casualties we’ll see—not just among soldiers, but civilians as well. Humanitarian aid is important, but the best way to end the war is through military support.”
Q: How do you view Ukraine–South Korea relations?
A: “There is great potential for cooperation in various fields, including joint technology development and investment. I had a close relationship with former Korean Ambassador to Ukraine, Kwon Ki-chang. There are already successful Korean companies operating in Ukraine, and those cases can be expanded.”
Q: When and how do you think the war will end?
A: “There’s a possibility it could end within this year. It depends on U.S. strategy and resolve.”
☞ About Halyna Yanchenko:
Halyna Yanchenko first entered the Ukrainian Parliament in 2019 and has led various anti-corruption initiatives, serving as Vice Chair of the Anti-Corruption Policy Committee. Under the Zelenskyy administration, she served as Chair of the Civil Oversight Council of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), member of the Economic Development Committee, and Secretary General of the National Investment Council under the President. She now travels internationally to raise awareness about the Russia–Ukraine war and to attract foreign support. Yanchenko holds a master’s degree in sociology from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
