North Korean troops in Russia/ Lloyd Austin/ Ukraine war/ North Korea-Russia alliance/ South Korea intelligence/ drone training/ U.S. defense/ military cooperation/ Newslooks/ SEOUL/ South Korea/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that North Korea has sent troops to Russia, with South Korean intelligence reporting 3,000 North Korean soldiers currently receiving military training. The potential deployment of these troops to Ukraine would be a serious development, impacting both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
North Korean Troops in Russia for Training, Deployment to Ukraine Possible – Quick Look
- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed North Korea has sent troops to Russia.
- South Korea reports 3,000 North Korean soldiers are training on drones and equipment.
- North Korea plans to send a total of 10,000 troops to Russia by December.
- Concerns rise over North Korea’s support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
- South Korea considers arming Ukraine in response to North Korea’s actions.
Defense Secretary Austin: North Korea Deploys Troops to Russia
Deep Look
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed on Wednesday that North Korea has sent troops to Russia, marking a significant escalation in the collaboration between the two nations. According to South Korean intelligence, 3,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, receiving training on drones and other military equipment in preparation for possible deployment to Ukraine.
Austin’s confirmation came during a conversation with reporters, where he noted that while the exact role of these troops is still being assessed, their involvement in the Ukraine conflict would pose serious consequences for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. “What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen,” Austin said, according to a video posted by The Washington Post. He warned that if North Korean soldiers join Russia’s war in Ukraine, it would be a “very, very serious issue.”
Growing Evidence of North Korean Troop Deployment
South Korean intelligence first reported that 1,500 North Korean special warfare troops were transported to Russia last week, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier disclosed that 10,000 North Korean soldiers were being prepared for combat roles alongside Russian forces.
In a closed-door meeting, South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong briefed lawmakers that another 1,500 North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, bringing the total to 3,000. Cho also noted that these soldiers are currently split among several Russian military bases for training but have yet to be deployed to battlefields in Ukraine.
Cho shared that North Korea aims to send a total of 10,000 troops to Russia by the end of the year. The soldiers are being trained by Russian instructors, who have reportedly praised their physical capabilities and morale but expressed concerns over their lack of modern warfare experience. According to South Korean lawmakers Park Sunwon and Lee Seong Kweun, who attended the NIS briefing, North Korea is also relocating the families of these soldiers to isolated locations within North Korea to prevent information leaks.
North Korea and Russia’s Strengthening Alliance
The confirmed deployment of North Korean troops to Russia comes amid increasing military cooperation between the two countries. In June, North Korea and Russia signed a defense agreement, pledging mutual military support in the event either nation is attacked. This pact has raised concerns about further escalation of tensions with the West, especially as both nations face separate confrontations with the U.S. and its allies.
South Korean intelligence has reported that since August 2023, North Korea has sent over 13,000 containers filled with artillery, missiles, and other conventional arms to Russia, helping to replenish Russia’s dwindling weapon stockpiles in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate confirmed that North Korean troops would arrive in Russia’s Kursk region to aid Russian forces fighting against Ukrainian advances. This marks a critical point in the conflict, as the potential involvement of North Korean soldiers could alter the balance of power on the battlefield.
South Korea’s Concerns and Possible Response
The news of North Korean troops joining Russia has stoked security fears in South Korea, particularly the possibility that Russia could reward North Korea with advanced weapons technology. South Korean officials are particularly worried that any technological assistance from Russia could enhance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, which directly threaten South Korea.
In response to North Korea’s military support for Russia, South Korean officials are considering sending weapons to Ukraine for the first time. While South Korea has previously provided humanitarian aid and financial support to Ukraine, it has refrained from sending arms due to a policy against supplying weapons to active conflict zones.
North Korea’s Military Capabilities Questioned
Despite North Korea’s large standing army of 1.2 million troops, many experts remain skeptical about the impact their involvement would have in the Ukraine war. North Korean forces have not been involved in large-scale conflicts since the Korean War (1950-1953), raising doubts about their ability to adapt to modern warfare. While North Korea is eager to secure Russian economic support and access to advanced military technology, analysts question how effective their soldiers would be in a complex warzone like Ukraine.
Nevertheless, North Korea’s military presence in Russia could signal a deepening alliance between the two nations. If North Korea’s forces are deployed in Ukraine, it could further complicate the geopolitical landscape and prompt stronger responses from the West.
As tensions escalate, all eyes are on how this new development will impact the ongoing war in Ukraine and the broader global security environment. The involvement of North Korean troops could lead to a significant shift in how the conflict unfolds, potentially leading to even greater international consequences.
