North Korea troops Russia/ South Korea intelligence/ North Korea Ukraine war/ North Korean military deployment/ North Korea Russia collaboration/ Ukraine conflict/ Newslooks/ SEOUL/ South Korea/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ South Korea’s intelligence agency confirmed that North Korea has sent troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine. The dispatch of North Korean soldiers, wearing Russian uniforms, marks the country’s first major participation in a foreign war. Experts warn this could escalate tensions between North Korea and the West.
North Korean Troops in Russia Quick Looks
- South Korean Intelligence Report: North Korea has sent 1,500 special forces troops to Russia, with more expected.
- Troops in Russian Uniforms: North Korean soldiers are reportedly receiving Russian military gear and fake IDs.
- Deployment Locations: Troops are stationed at bases in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and other locations.
- Potential Agreement: Experts suggest North Korea may have secured Russian security guarantees in return.
- Official Denials: Russia denies the use of North Korean troops, dismissing claims as “fake news.”
- Global Reactions: South Korea and NATO express concerns over North Korea’s involvement, while Zelenskyy warns of escalating global conflict.
Deep Look
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed Friday that North Korea has sent troops to Russia to assist in its ongoing war against Ukraine. The revelation introduces the possibility of a third country becoming directly involved in the conflict, potentially deepening tensions between North Korea and Western powers. According to the NIS, Russian naval ships transported approximately 1,500 North Korean special operations soldiers to the Russian port city of Vladivostok between October 8 and 13, with plans for more troops to follow soon.
The North Korean troops, once in Russia, were reportedly issued Russian military uniforms, weapons, and falsified identification documents to integrate them into Russian forces. The soldiers have been stationed at military bases across several cities, including Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk. After undergoing adaptation training, these troops are expected to be deployed to active battle zones in Ukraine.
Satellite imagery and other intelligence shared by the NIS on its website indicate increased activity near North Korean ports and Russian military gatherings in various locations in the past week. South Korean media, citing the NIS, suggested that North Korea plans to dispatch a total of 12,000 troops to Russia, organized into four brigades. However, the NIS has not yet confirmed these specific numbers.
If fully verified, this marks the first significant involvement of North Korean forces in a foreign conflict. While North Korea boasts one of the world’s largest standing armies, with 1.2 million personnel, its military lacks recent combat experience. This raises questions among analysts regarding how effective North Korean troops will be in aiding Russia, given the outdated state of much of their equipment and the limited experience of their forces.
Despite these concerns, experts speculate that North Korea’s involvement is part of a broader deal between Pyongyang and Moscow. The two countries have drawn closer in recent years, particularly as North Korea continues to face international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program. Analysts believe that North Korea may have been promised security guarantees or military technology in exchange for sending its troops. Such a deal would align with a defense pact signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Pyongyang in June. The agreement stipulated mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either country, marking the most significant defense collaboration between the two nations since the Cold War.
South Korea’s government reacted swiftly to the reports, with President Yoon Suk Yeol convening an emergency meeting to assess the situation. According to a statement from the presidential office, the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia presents a serious security threat not only to South Korea but also to the broader international community. However, the statement provided few details on the specifics of North Korea’s troop movements, such as how many soldiers have been sent or what their exact role will be in the conflict.
Russia has categorically denied that North Korean soldiers are involved in the Ukraine war. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled the claims “another piece of fake news” during a press briefing last week, despite mounting intelligence reports to the contrary. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have also raised alarms over North Korea’s involvement. Ukrainian media reported earlier this month that several North Korean nationals were among the casualties of a Ukrainian missile strike in the eastern Donetsk region on October 3.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that Ukrainian intelligence had gathered evidence suggesting that North Korea is preparing to send a total of 10,000 soldiers to join Russian forces in the conflict. Zelenskyy warned that the introduction of a third nation into the fighting risks expanding the war into a global confrontation. “From our intelligence, we’ve got information that North Korea sent tactical personnel and officers to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. “They are preparing 10,000 soldiers on their land, but they haven’t moved them yet to Ukraine or Russia.”
Although NATO has not confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine, Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted the growing concern over North Korea’s assistance to Russia. While no direct evidence of North Korean troops has surfaced, Rutte acknowledged that North Korea has provided substantial logistical and technological support to Russia, including weapons and other military supplies. This cooperation has been a critical factor in sustaining Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, he said.
For months, the U.S., South Korea, and their allies have accused North Korea of secretly supplying Russia with ammunition, artillery shells, and other military hardware. Outside experts believe that in return, North Korea may have received food, economic aid, and technological support from Moscow, particularly in areas that could enhance Kim Jong Un’s nuclear and missile programs. Both Russia and North Korea have denied any formal arms trade between the two countries, despite the mounting evidence of collaboration.
As the Ukraine war continues to draw in more international actors, the involvement of North Korean troops raises the stakes for global security. The presence of a third nation’s soldiers on the battlefield could not only shift the dynamics of the war but also strain diplomatic relations in an already volatile region.
