Key Takeaways:
– The US has evidence of 3,000 North Korean soldiers being trained in Russia, possibly for deployment against Ukraine.
– The said troops were rumored to have been shipped from North Korea to Russia earlier this month.
– Ukraine and South Korea are also alarmed by North Korea’s alleged involvement in supporting Russia’s war actions.
– If North Korean soldiers are co-belligerents, they will be treated as legitimate military targets, according to White House and US defense officials.
North Korean Troops in Russia: A Serious Escalation
The US, for the first time, has claimed to have evidence that North Korean troops are being trained in Russia for possible deployment against Ukraine, a move considered as ‘a very serious’ escalation. White House national security spokesperson John F Kirby revealed that 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been transported to Vladivostok, Russia, earlier this month. This information greatly alarmed both Ukraine and South Korea, heightening concerns for the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
North Korean Force Deployment: A Worthy Alarm
The North Korean troops have allegedly been dispersed across three different training grounds in Russia’s Far East. “If they do deploy to fight against Ukraine, they are fair game,” stated Kirby. The spokesperson further highlighted that the Ukrainian military would have the right to defend themselves against these foreign soldiers similarly to how they are defending against Russian forces.
Views from the Defense: Discussion on Co-belligerence
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed Kirby’s stance, reasserting the seriousness of the issue. Austin said, “If they are co-belligerents – if their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf – that is a very, very serious issue.” He emphasized that such a move would have impacts extending beyond Europe and could also affect situations in the Indo-Pacific. This revelation is reportedly based on declassified intelligence, yet it remains uncertain if North Korean soldiers will indeed join Ukraine’s conflict.
Origin of Allegations: Twisting Facts or Reality?
South Korea was the first to raise suspicion, alleging that 1,500 North Korean special forces troops were transported by the Russian Navy earlier this month to assist Moscow’s war efforts. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, raised the stakes by claiming the possibility of North Korea preparing a 10,000-strong force to fight alongside the Russians.
Need for Immediate Measures: Preparing For The Worst
The South Korean intelligence service reasserted the mounting tensions, stating another 1,500 North Korean soldiers had reached Russia. The agency put forth an assessment that North Korea aims to deploy 10,000 troops to Russia by December. Additionally, the agency pointed out that more than 13,000 containers of various arms have been sent to Russia by Pyongyang since August 2023.
Significance of the Russia-North Korea Alliance
North Korea, boasting an army of 1.2 million soldiers, has become a pivotal ally for Russia, especially following reciprocal visits between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin. A mutual defense treaty was signed pledging immediate military assistance if either nation is attacked. This underpins the international concern regarding the increasing alignment between Russia and North Korea, bringing about possible complications in regional dynamics. Despite this disconcerting alignment and reported evidence, both nations sternly dismiss these allegations, with Russia labeling the situation as “colossal work of media propaganda”.