SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea’s intelligence agency reported on Friday that North Korea has dispatched troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. This move could potentially draw a third country into the conflict and escalate tensions between North Korea and the West.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced that Russian navy ships transported 1,500 North Korean special operation forces to the Russian port city of Vladivostok between October 8 and October 13. The agency also indicated that additional North Korean troops are expected to arrive in Russia soon.
According to the NIS, the North Korean soldiers now in Russia have received Russian military uniforms, weapons, and forged identification documents. They are currently stationed at military bases in Vladivostok, as well as in other Russian locations such as Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk. Once they complete their adaptation training, these troops are likely to be deployed to combat zones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously noted that intelligence reports indicated around 10,000 North Korean soldiers might soon enter the conflict, raising concerns within the South Korean government.
In response to this alarming news, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a security meeting on Friday, stressing the need for the international community to take action using “all available means.” Key officials from South Korea’s National Security Office, the Ministry of National Defence, and the National Intelligence Service participated in these discussions.
The ties between Russia and North Korea have been strengthening in recent weeks. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s birthday, referring to him as his “closest comrade.” This friendship aligns with reports that North Korea is providing Russia with ammunition, as evidenced by the recovery of a missile in Ukraine’s Poltava region.
In addition, Putin has proposed a bill to ratify a military pact with Kim, ensuring mutual support in case of “aggression” against either nation. Sources suggest that some North Korean troops have already arrived and are now stationed at military bases near Ussuriysk, located north of Vladivostok.
Military experts have raised concerns about the challenges of integrating North Korean soldiers into Russian military operations. Factors such as language barriers and the North Korean army's limited recent combat experience could impede effective collaboration. Some analysts propose that North Korean troops may be better suited for guarding sections of the Russian-Ukrainian border, allowing Russian forces to focus on more critical combat areas.
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