In a stunning development that could dramatically shift the dynamics of Russia’s war in Ukraine, South Korea’s intelligence agency has revealed that North Korea has dispatched 1,500 special operation forces to fight alongside Russian troops. This marks the first time North Korea has openly engaged in a foreign conflict on such a large scale.
According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), Russian navy ships transferred the North Korean soldiers to the port city of Vladivostok between October 8 and 13. The troops are currently undergoing training and adaptation before being deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine. The NIS also stated that more North Korean soldiers are expected to be sent to Russia in the near future.
Disguised as Russian Soldiers
In an apparent effort to conceal their involvement, the North Korean troops were reportedly issued Russian military uniforms and weapons. They were also given fake Russian ID cards listing them as residents of Yakutia and Buryatia, two regions in Siberia far from the conflict zone.
“It appears that they disguised themselves as Russian soldiers to hide the fact that they were deployed to the battlefield,” the NIS stated.
The agency backed up its claims with satellite photos and other evidence showing suspected Russian navy ship movements near North Korean ports and gatherings of North Korean personnel in Russian Far East cities in the past week. If confirmed, this would be the first time North Korea has directly participated in an overseas war in its modern history.
Extent of North Korean Involvement
While the NIS report provides the most comprehensive official assessment to date of North Korea’s role in the Ukraine war, some South Korean media outlets, citing anonymous sources, have claimed that Pyongyang plans to send a total of 12,000 troops, organized into four brigades. The NIS did not immediately confirm these figures.
The revelation comes just a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his country had intelligence indicating 10,000 North Korean soldiers were preparing to enter the war. Zelenskyy warned that this could be “the first step to a world war.”
“This is the first step to a world war,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Brussels.
Russia Denies Using North Korean Troops
Russia has vehemently denied using any North Korean troops in its war against Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims last week, calling them “another piece of fake news.” However, NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Friday that the alliance could not yet confirm the South Korean intelligence reports.
This development comes amid previous reports that North Korean military engineers had already been deployed to help Russia target Ukraine with ballistic missiles. A Ukrainian source claimed there were “dozens of North Koreans behind Russian lines” supporting KN-23 missile launcher systems.
Deepening Ties Between Kim and Putin
The deployment of North Korean troops reflects the growing military and economic cooperation between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders, who first met in 2019, have sought to strengthen ties to counter their increasing international isolation stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.
In June, Kim and Putin signed an agreement that included a clause requiring the two countries to come to each other’s aid if either is attacked. This pact may have paved the way for North Korea’s decision to send troops to fight in Ukraine.
North Korea’s Military Support for Russia
North Korea’s military assistance to Russia goes beyond just troops on the ground. Pyongyang is estimated to have provided about half of the larger-caliber ammunition used by Russian forces in Ukraine this year, amounting to more than 2 million rounds. North Korea has also supplied Russia with KN-23 missiles, which were used in dozens of strikes across Ukraine last winter.
In exchange for its missiles and other hardware, North Korea is believed to be seeking Russian cash and assistance with its struggling spy satellite program. The impoverished nation has suffered embarrassing failures in its attempts to launch reconnaissance satellites over the past two years.
Implications for the War and Beyond
The involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine war could have far-reaching consequences. It not only underscores the depth of the alliance between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin but also highlights Russia’s desperate need for additional military personnel amid reports of staggering casualties.
Moreover, North Korea’s willingness to send soldiers to fight in a foreign war may signal a new era of assertiveness and interventionism from the isolated regime. This could further complicate efforts to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions and maintain stability in the region.
As the world watches events unfold, it remains to be seen how the presence of North Korean troops on Ukrainian battlefields will impact the course of the war and the delicate geopolitical balance in both Europe and Asia. One thing is certain: this development adds an unpredictable and potentially volatile element to an already complex and deadly conflict.
