In a development that has raised alarms across the international community, North Korea has reportedly sent 3,000 troops to Russia in support of its war efforts against Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) on Wednesday.
This estimate marks a significant increase, doubling the previously reported figure of 1,500 troops. North Korea has pledged to send a total of 10,000 troops by December, with the deployment process well underway.
These revelations follow recent reports from Seoul’s intelligence agency, which had earlier confirmed the arrival of 1,500 North Korean special forces in Russia via ship, Reuters.
Signs of troop training inside North Korea were detected in September and October, indicating that the soldiers are being trained and acclimatized to Russian military operations before their deployment. The troops have since been dispersed across various training facilities in Russia to adapt to local conditions.
South Korean lawmaker Park Sun-won, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, emphasized the significance of the troop deployment during the briefing.
“It appears that the troops have now been dispersed to multiple training facilities in Russia and are adapting to the local environment,” he said. This alarming escalation is believed to be part of a broader strategy to strengthen military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, despite ongoing denials from both nations about formal arms transfers or troop dispatches.
READ ALSO: Blinken Calls for Ceasefire as Israel Intensifies Airstrikes on Historic Lebanese Port City of Tyre
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has also voiced concerns, accusing North Korea of preparing to send up to 10,000 soldiers to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. In a recent address, Zelenskiy called on Ukraine’s allies to take immediate action in response to growing evidence of North Korea’s involvement. The potential deployment of such a significant number of North Korean troops could further destabilize the already volatile conflict and complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.
According to Reuters, while both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied allegations of troop involvement, the two countries have publicly pledged to boost their military ties.
Earlier this year, in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a mutual defense treaty during a summit, solidifying their strategic alliance. This agreement signals a deeper military partnership, one that could have far-reaching implications for global security.
Despite denials from the Kremlin, South Korean intelligence has reportedly detected efforts by Russia to recruit interpreters for North Korean soldiers, while also providing them with training on modern military technologies, such as drones.
According to the NIS, Russian instructors have assessed the North Korean troops as being physically capable and possessing high morale, but lacking in knowledge of modern warfare techniques, particularly when it comes to drone warfare. This knowledge gap could lead to significant casualties among North Korean troops if they are deployed to the front lines, where drone attacks have become a frequent part of modern military conflicts.
Further complicating matters, reports suggest that Pyongyang’s authorities have gone to great lengths to suppress news of the troop deployment within North Korea. Lawmakers briefed by the NIS revealed that the families of soldiers selected for deployment had expressed intense grief, with many reportedly “crying so much that their faces were badly hurt.”
In response, the North Korean government has allegedly relocated and isolated the families of deployed soldiers to prevent the spread of rumors and maintain control over the population.
North Korea’s decision to send troops to Russia is believed to be motivated by a mix of economic and strategic interests. Pyongyang may be seeking to secure Russian military and economic assistance in return for its support in Ukraine. In particular, North Korean leaders may hope for Russian intervention in the event of a future crisis on the Korean Peninsula, where tensions with South Korea and the United States remain high.
Additionally, economic aid could be a critical factor driving North Korea’s involvement. The country has faced severe economic hardship due to international sanctions and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, making foreign aid a priority for the regime. By providing military support to Russia, Pyongyang may aim to gain access to vital resources, financial aid, or diplomatic backing from Moscow.
In response to these developments, the South Korean government has expressed strong opposition to North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war.
The South’s presidential office issued a statement on Tuesday, urging the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russian territory. The statement also included a warning that South Korea may consider supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine if North Korea’s military ties with Russia continue to deepen.
The potential involvement of North Korean troops in the Russia-Ukraine war has sparked concerns from key international players, including the United States.
On Monday, a top U.S. diplomat stated that Washington was consulting with its allies on the implications of North Korean support for Russia’s war efforts. The diplomat described the situation as a “dangerous and highly concerning development” and warned that such involvement could have significant consequences for regional and global stability.
READ ALSO: McDonald’s Stock Plunges Following E. Coli Outbreak
Despite mounting evidence of North Korea’s military contributions to Russia, both Moscow and Pyongyang have remained tight-lipped about the extent of their cooperation. However, with reports of North Korean soldiers being trained and prepared for deployment, the growing military alliance between the two nations could have far-reaching consequences for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and beyond.
As the world watches this unfolding situation, the involvement of North Korean troops adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught geopolitical landscape. The ramifications of this alliance could extend well beyond the current conflict, potentially affecting future security dynamics in East Asia, the Korean Peninsula, and global power relations.
For now, the world waits to see whether international diplomatic efforts will be able to curb the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, or if the conflict in Ukraine will be further complicated by the introduction of additional foreign troops.