(Scypre.com) – South Korea has estimated that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops will soon join Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, a key U.S. ally announced Thursday. In response to this significant development, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed that his nation would “not stand by and do nothing” in the face of such a “provocation.” The announcement follows concerns that North Korea is increasingly involving itself in the military efforts of its long-standing ally, Russia, which has drawn international attention and heightened tensions globally.
At least 11,000 North Korea troops have been initially deployed to support Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) October 18, 2024
Footage shows them marching in Russia at a training ground. Expected to be ready for combat by November 1st. pic.twitter.com/b45jhgWgOH
South Korea’s defense ministry shared this estimate with NBC News, confirming the troop deployment. The United States and other allies, including Ukraine, have joined in affirming this intelligence. The South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun told lawmakers on Thursday that the contingent will include North Korean special forces, military engineers, and artillery troops, with approximately 3,000 soldiers having already been deployed. According to Kim, the number of deployed troops is expected to increase in the coming weeks, with a total force of around 12,000 personnel eventually reaching Russia.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby echoed the South Korean assessment, explaining that the U.S. believes that 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in eastern Russia by sea. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kirby warned, “They’re fair game,” indicating that any North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for Ukrainian forces. He also pointed out that these troops, currently undergoing training at various Russian military bases, could suffer significant casualties if they enter combat.
“North Korean soldiers are fair targets, and the Ukrainian military will defend themselves against them in the same way they’re defending against Russian soldiers,” Kirby stated. “There could be dead and wounded North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukraine.” This comment was the first detailed assessment from Washington, following reports that allies were growing frustrated with the lack of clarity on North Korea’s involvement.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops, emphasizing that the full scope of their role in the war remained uncertain. During a press conference in Rome, Austin said, “What exactly they’re doing is left to be seen.” Meanwhile, NATO also confirmed the deployment, expressing concerns over the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
South Korean defense officials have provided more insight into the situation, claiming that the North Korean soldiers are being disguised as Russian troops and are operating under the Kremlin’s command. According to Defense Minister Kim, “Kim Jong Un is selling North Korean soldiers as cannon fodder mercenaries,” raising questions about the motivations behind the deployment and the conditions under which these troops are being sent to Russia.
Experts, however, have noted that integrating the North Korean soldiers with the Russian military could present challenges, particularly due to language barriers and differences in training. While Russia might benefit from additional manpower, the lack of coordination could complicate effective integration. Nevertheless, officials in Seoul remain concerned that the deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine may provide North Korea with critical combat experience, which could be used to enhance its own military capabilities.
“North Korea’s dispatch of troops to Russia is a provocation that threatens the security of the Korean peninsula,” President Yoon said in a statement on Thursday. He emphasized that South Korea would take action in response to this threat but did not specify what measures the country might pursue.
Reports of North Korean military involvement have also drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Earlier this week, Zelenskyy claimed that North Korea was preparing to send two brigades of 6,000 soldiers each to bolster Russia’s military efforts. The increasing collaboration between Russia and North Korea marks a deepening of ties that began earlier this year when Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a high-profile meeting in June.
In addition to sending troops, North Korea has been accused of providing munitions, including millions of artillery shells, to support Russia’s war effort. In return, Pyongyang may have received key military technology from Russia, which North Korea could use to advance its nuclear ambitions. Both Russia and North Korea have denied these allegations, but U.S. officials have expressed deep concern over the military exchanges between the two countries.
The Russian government has mostly avoided addressing the allegations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed reports of North Korean troop deployments as “fake and hype,” though the Kremlin has not provided an official denial. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have called for de-escalation, urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
China, which shares borders with both Russia and North Korea, has played an increasingly prominent role amid the ongoing crisis. On Thursday, Beijing stated it was “not aware of the situation” regarding the deployment of North Korean soldiers, while reiterating its position on finding a political solution to the Ukraine crisis. A spokesperson from China’s commerce ministry also voiced opposition to the U.S. sanctions imposed on Chinese drone manufacturers accused of supplying military technology to Russia. “China opposes unilateral sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ that have no basis in international law,” the spokesperson said.
In light of North Korea’s growing involvement, South Korea’s government has indicated a potential shift in its approach to the conflict in Ukraine. President Yoon stated that South Korea would consider expanding its assistance to Ukraine, including providing both defensive and offensive weapons, marking a significant departure from Seoul’s previous stance of only offering non-lethal support.
As North Korea continues to deepen its ties with Russia, the potential ramifications for regional stability are substantial. The involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine not only adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing war but also poses a direct threat to security on the Korean Peninsula, prompting concern among South Korea and its allies. The international community will be closely watching Pyongyang’s next moves, as well as any response from Kyiv and Seoul in the face of these new provocations.