The South Korean spy agency has reported that North Korea has sent troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. This move, if confirmed, would bring a third country into the conflict and escalate tensions between North Korea and the West. The National Intelligence Service revealed that 1,500 North Korean special operation forces were transferred to Vladivostok by Russian navy ships, with more troops expected to be sent soon. The soldiers are currently receiving training at military bases in Russia and will likely be deployed to the battlefields.
Reports suggest that North Korea plans to send a total of 12,000 troops to Russia, although this has not been confirmed by the NIS. This potential involvement in a foreign war would be a significant departure for North Korea, which has not participated in large-scale conflicts since the Korean War. While NATO and the Pentagon have not been able to confirm these reports, Russian officials have denied using North Korean troops in the conflict. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their cooperation in recent years, with North Korea allegedly supplying weapons to Russia in exchange for economic and military support.
Experts are skeptical about how much the involvement of North Korean troops would benefit Russia, given North Korea’s outdated equipment and lack of battle experience. However, North Korea may have received promises of advanced military technology related to its nuclear and missile programs in exchange for its support. This could pose a security threat to South Korea and complicate efforts to neutralize North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. North Korea’s involvement in the conflict could strain its relationship with European countries while strengthening its ties with Russia.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has expressed concern over the security threat posed by North Korea’s troop dispatch. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising, with North Korea conducting provocative missile tests and issuing threats of nuclear warfare. South Korea and the U.S. have responded by increasing military exercises, which North Korea views as preparations for invasion. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has warned that the involvement of a third nation in the conflict could escalate it into a world war.
There have been doubts about North Korea’s willingness to deploy ground troops overseas, as it has mainly focused on its nuclear standoff with the U.S. and South Korea in recent years. While North Korea has sent pilots to fight in previous conflicts, there have been no known large-scale deployments of ground troops. Speculations suggest that North Korea may have sent military technicians and engineers to support Russia’s use of North Korean weapons in the conflict. It remains to be seen how North Korea’s potential involvement in the war in Ukraine will unfold and impact the region.
