North Korean Troops Deployed to Assist Russia in Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed on Monday that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, with some already deployed in the Kursk region. This development is seen as a significant escalation of North Korea's military support for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S., Ukraine, and South Korea have accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to aid Russia in the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deny the presence of North Korean troops in Russia last Thursday, while implying that such a deployment would be legal. Meanwhile, a North Korean official stated that their involvement would be within legal boundaries.
According to Ukraine's military intelligence service, the first groups of North Korean soldiers trained in Russia have been deployed to the Kursk region, where a major Ukrainian offensive took place in August. The intelligence service reports that there are approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia, including 500 officers and three generals, with training conducted at five military bases.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that North Korea previously sent officers to assess the situation in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine before additional troops were deployed. The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) tracked about 3,000 soldiers, including special forces, likely arriving in Russia's Far East for training and acclimatization in preparation for combat roles.
The South Korean agency also used artificial intelligence facial recognition technology to identify a North Korean delegation in frontline areas of Ukraine. This delegation is believed to have provided guidance on the use of North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles employed in the conflict. Among the delegation was Ri Song Jin, a key figure in North Korea's missile development, who was seen with leader Kim Jong Un at missile production facilities.
The mutual assistance agreement signed during the visit of Putin and Kim Jong Un to Pyongyang in June is cited as the basis for North Korea’s involvement. Analysts suggest that North Korea might gain battlefield experience and insights by providing soldiers and arms. Additionally, satellite imagery from foreign intelligence indicates that Pyongyang has benefited from importing significant amounts of oil and other goods from Russia. A South Korean think tank linked to the NIS estimated that North Korea earned around $540 million from arms sales to Russia last year.
Countries have begun to react to these developments. South Korea issued a protest note to the Russian ambassador last week and sent a high-level delegation to inform NATO today. Seoul is also considering gradual countermeasures, including changes to its policy of not directly supplying arms to Ukraine. A senior presidential official in Ukraine called for a clear strategy to prevent further arms and North Korean participation, stating that sanctions alone are insufficient.
Germany and Austria have summoned senior North Korean representatives to express their concerns, while leaders from the UK and Finland described Russia’s use of North Korean soldiers as an act of desperation.
China stated that it has no knowledge of North Korean troops in Russia and called for a de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine and a political resolution.
The use of North Korean-made ballistic missiles and artillery by Russia has been confirmed by South Korea, Ukraine, the U.S., and independent researchers. Military analysts are assessing the potential impact of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield, suggesting their presence may not be decisive for Russia but could provide meaningful support and potentially prolong the conflict.