Key Takeaways:
– South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reports that 1,500 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, with more expected soon.
– North Korea and Russia signed a pact for mutual military assistance in June, which might have prompted this alleged support.
– Russian representatives have denied these claims as “fake news.” However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns of a possible world war scenario as North Korean involvement grows.
North Korean Troops Deployed to Russia
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) in South Korea has stated that North Korea is apparently supporting Russia’s warfare in Ukraine. Allegedly, a total of 1,500 North Korean special operation forces were moved from North Korea to the Russian port city of Vladivostok between October 8th and 13th. NIS expects that additional North Korean forces will commence their journey to Russia soon.
These North Korean soldiers have reportedly been supplied with Russian military uniforms, arms, and manufactured identification documents. Currently, they reside at military bases in Vladivostok and other Russian locations such as Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk. The NIS states that these soldiers will probably be deployed to battle arenas after concluding their adjustment training.
Satellite Imagery Indicates Mass Gatherings
The NIS has published satellite and other images on its website, indicating what it deems as movements of Russian navy ships near a North Korean port. Additional gatherings, suspected to be North Korean, were seen in Ussuriysk and Khabarovsk in the past week.
Pyongyang’s Expected Troop Dispatch
South Korean media have reported that Pyongyang plans to send a total of 12,000 troops to Russia. If this information is verified, it would mark North Korea’s first significant participation in a foreign war.
NATO’s Response and Expert Opinions
NATO chief Mark Rutte has stated that the alliance cannot confirm North Korea’s deployment of large-scale troops to aid Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Many experts are skeptical about the utility of North Korean troop deployment to Russia, given North Korea’s outdated technology and lack of battlefield experience.
Mutual Defense Pact Between North Korea and Russia
Experts have suggested that North Korea’s supporting actions might be driven by promises of security support from Russia. Back in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a pact of mutual military assistance, considered the most substantial defense agreement since the Cold War’s end.
South Korean Reactions and Concerns
South Korea’s presidential office reported earlier that an emergency meeting was convened to discuss North Korea’s troop dispatch. Attendees agreed that the involvement of North Korean forces poses a grave security threat to South Korea and the international community at large.
Russia’s Denial and Ukrainian Fears
Russian authorities, led by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have denounced the allegations of using North Korean troops as fake news. In contrast, Ukraine has expressed serious concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed intelligence that North Korea is preparing another 10,000 soldiers to join the Russian forces battling against his country.
From an international relations perspective, as suggested by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, North Korea’s actions are indeed “highly worrying.” The US and South Korea, amongst other partners, have accused North Korea of supplying Moscow with artillery shells, missiles, and equipment to fuel the war in Ukraine.
The Situation’s Impact on North Korea
North Korea, enduring current food and economic deficiencies, likely received much-needed aid in exchange for its apparent assistance to Russia. However, both governments deny the existence of any arms deal between the countries.