TL;DR:
- Pentagon confirms North Korea sent 10,000 troops to Russia to join the war against Ukraine within weeks, marking a significant escalation
- Some North Korean soldiers have already been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, where Russia is struggling to repel a Ukrainian incursion
- The influx of North Korean troops is expected to strain Ukraine’s military and heighten geopolitical tensions in the Korean Peninsula and Indo-Pacific region
- U.S. and South Korean officials are set to discuss the developments, with no restrictions on using U.S.-supplied weapons against North Korean forces if they advance to the front lines
North Korean soldiers are reportedly being prepared for potential deployment to the front lines of Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by intelligence officials. This development marks a significant escalation in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and raises concerns about the expanding scope of the war.
The Pentagon estimates that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently undergoing military training in eastern Russia, a substantial increase from the previous estimate of 3,000 troops. South Korean lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun and Park Sun-won, who were briefed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stated that some North Korean personnel, including high-ranking military officials, may soon be moving to the front lines.
Russian forces are reportedly teaching North Korean soldiers about 100 basic military words in Russian, such as “fire” and “in position.” However, the lawmakers noted that communication remains a significant challenge for the North Korean troops, casting doubt on their ability to effectively bridge the language gap.
In an effort to maintain secrecy, North Korea has implemented strict security measures. North Korean officers involved in the Russian deployment are prohibited from using phones, and families of soldiers are being told that their loved ones are merely participating in a “military exercise.” Despite these precautions, news of the deployments has spread within North Korea, causing unrest in some areas.
“Some residents and soldiers have voiced fears of possibly being sent to Russia themselves, while others have questioned why they are being sacrificed for a different country,” the lawmakers reported.
The potential deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine would mark a historic moment, as it would be the first time North Korea has made a significant intervention in an international conflict. While North Korea boasts one of the world’s largest militaries with 1.2 million soldiers, most of its troops lack combat experience.
Intercepted Russian communications reveal some disdain for the incoming North Korean soldiers, referred to as the “K Battalion.” The intercepts also suggest plans for one interpreter and three senior officers for every 30 North Korean soldiers, a ratio that Russian servicemen have criticized.
The Kremlin initially dismissed allegations of North Korean troop deployments, but Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deny their presence when questioned at the recent BRICS summit in Russia. North Korea has stated that any troop deployment to Russia to aid in the Ukraine war would conform with international law, without explicitly confirming such a presence.
As these developments unfold, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is currently in Russia for her second trip in six weeks. South Korean lawmakers speculate that she may be discussing the potential dispatch of more North Korean troops and negotiating what Pyongyang would receive in return.
The news of North Korea’s potential involvement in the Ukraine conflict comes as South Korean foreign and defense ministers prepare to meet with their U.S. counterparts in Washington for an annual ministerial meeting. This situation is likely to be a key topic of discussion as the international community grapples with the implications of North Korea’s expanding role in the ongoing conflict.