In a recent development, concerns are growing in the West regarding North Korea’s military involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly in light of reports indicating that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are receiving training in Russia. Many are questioning what benefits North Korea gains from sending troops to aid the Russian military.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed the need for a shift in defense relations between Ukraine and its partners during a statement on October 13. He highlighted that North Korea is not only sending personnel but also supplying arms to the Russian forces stationed in Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated, “We are observing a strengthening alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. It’s more than just a transfer of weapons; personnel are moving from North Korea to the occupying forces. In this situation, our relationships with partners must evolve incrementally, and the frontline requires more support. We are discussing providing Ukraine with additional long-range strike capabilities and ongoing assistance, beyond merely supplying lists of military hardware.”
The Kremlin has dismissed these claims, labeling them as “fake news.” However, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, Sean Savett, expressed concerns on October 15 regarding North Korea’s military engagement in Ukraine, noting that if confirmed, this would signify a substantial enhancement of North Korea’s defensive ties with Russia. Savett indicated that this move reflects a new level of desperation on Russia’s part, as its military continues to endure significant losses in what has been described as a brutal conflict.
Reports have suggested that North Korea has been supplying ballistic missiles and ammunition to Russian forces. Both Russia and North Korea have denied allegations of weapon transfers but have stated their intentions to strengthen military cooperation, potentially including joint exercises.
According to informed Western diplomats speaking to the Kyiv Independent on October 15, it appears that North Korea has dispatched 10,000 soldiers to support Russian operations in Ukraine. However, details regarding the type of soldiers involved and their specific roles remain unclear, with the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate refraining from commenting on the matter.
An anonymous Ukrainian military intelligence official quoted by The Washington Post on the same day mentioned that “thousands of” North Korean infantry soldiers are undergoing training in Russia, with plans to deploy them to frontline operations in Ukraine by the end of the year.
The Washington Post further analyzed that North Korea has historically shown unwavering support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged “full support” for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mission for “regional peace and international justice.”
It’s worth noting that just a month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, North Korea was one of four countries that joined Russia in voting against a United Nations resolution condemning the aggression. Since then, officials from the United States, Ukraine, and South Korea have reported that North Korea has been providing critical Soviet-era munitions to bolster Putin’s military efforts.
U.S. officials also added that North Korea’s aid could lead to further Russian support for its own weapons development program. This military relationship between North Korea and Russia dates back to the Soviet era, during which Soviet leaders supported North Korea’s invasion of South Korea, igniting the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Even after the armistice of the Korean War, both Koreas maintained stockpiles of ammunition and arms to prepare for potential future conflicts. As the war in Ukraine persists, evidence suggests that Russian forces are reaching out to North Korea for outdated artillery shells and munitions once again.
