Ukraine presses South Korea for air-defence aid as Pyongyang backs Russia

Ukraine is in a big fight with Russia and needs help shooting down missiles and drones that attack its cities.

Ukraine asked South Korea to send special machines called Cheongung-II that can catch and destroy incoming missiles.

South Korea said no to sending weapons because its own laws and safety rules stop it from giving deadly weapons to countries at war.

Instead, South Korea is helping Ukraine with things like energy, hospitals, schools, and rebuilding homes.

At the same time, North Korea is helping Russia by sending thousands of soldiers and missiles to help in the war.

Ukraine says North Korea has sent about 20,000 soldiers to Russia, mostly to a place called Kursk.

Ukraine's leader warns that North Korea might send tens of thousands more soldiers very soon.

Ukraine is worried that North Korean soldiers are learning how to fight modern wars and that North Korea may get even stronger weapons from Russia.

South Korea is also worried that if it gives Ukraine weapons, Russia might give North Korea even more dangerous technology, which could threaten South Korea's own safety.