Ukraine has reported that North Korean troops are set to deploy to assist Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. Recent intelligence assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine suggest that North Korea will send thousands of soldiers to Russia, with an initial contingent of about 1,500 special forces (with some U.S. estimates as high as 3,000) already having arrived in Russia. These troops are expected to be stationed in the western Russian region of Kursk, near the border with Ukraine.
As of now, Moscow and Pyongyang have not formally confirmed the claim of North Korean military support for Russia. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on October 25 that the decision to utilize North Korean forces is a matter for Russia to determine, underscoring that if Ukraine seeks NATO membership, Moscow may take any necessary measures to safeguard its security.
During a broadcast on Russian state television, Putin stated, “When we need to make certain decisions, we will do so… The choice to use or not use North Korean forces, or whether we need them, is a sovereign decision for us. This is our own affair.”
Putin’s remarks come after his visit to Pyongyang in June, where he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a treaty establishing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” between Russia and North Korea. This treaty was recently approved by the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament. Article 4 of the treaty stipulates that should one party be subject to military aggression from one or more countries and find itself in a state of war, the other party is obliged to provide military and other assistance using all available means.
In a press conference after the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, Putin expressed confidence that Kim would take the treaty seriously, adding, “What we do within the framework of Article 4 is our business.”
Additionally, he characterized the escalating situation in Ukraine as primarily a result of Western countries actively arming Ukraine, suggesting that NATO military personnel have directly engaged in the conflict.
Putin also indicated that Russia has never rejected communication with Western nations, expressing a willingness to restore relations provided that no demands be made upon Russia. For Russia, he emphasized, security is paramount; without sovereignty, Russia cannot exist.
On the other side, North Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Russian Affairs, Kim Yong-kil, acknowledged on October 25 that there has been international discourse regarding the purported deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. He stated, however, that the Foreign Ministry does not directly intervene in the actions of the Ministry of Defense, asserting that any such actions would align with international law.
