North Korea Officially Confirms Troop Deployment to Support Russia in Ukraine
North Korea has confirmed the dispatch of troops to support Russia in Ukraine, marking a pivotal moment in their mutual defense treaty. Leader Kim Jong Un aims to assist in combating Ukrainian forces, citing significant troop losses. Concerns arise over potential exchange of military technologies between the two nations, while the effectiveness of North Korean soldiers remains in question due to their combat inexperience.
North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it has dispatched troops to aid Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. This announcement marks a significant shift, as U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence had previously reported troop deployments in the range of 10,000 to 12,000 last year, but North Korea had neither confirmed nor denied these claims until now.
According to a statement from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the decision to send combat troops was facilitated by a mutual defense treaty. The Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party conveyed that Mr. Kim described the deployment as pivotal in “annihilating and wiping out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers,” aiming to liberate the Kursk region in collaboration with Russian forces.
In March, South Korea’s military indicated that an additional 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia earlier this year, as casualties from previous deployments mounted. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs reported that around 4,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited similar figures, contrasting with U.S. estimates that were significantly lower—around 1,200.
This past March, during a meeting with Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, Mr. Kim reiterated his steadfast support for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The discussion also included reaffirmation of their mutual defense treaty established last year. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko later revealed that talks were underway regarding a potential visit by Kim to Moscow.
North Korea has been supplying substantial conventional arms to Russia, raising concerns among the U.S., South Korea, and their allies that Moscow may reciprocate by providing North Korea with advanced weapon technologies, which would considerably bolster its nuclear capabilities. Additionally, North Korean leaders are likely anticipating economic aid as part of this military cooperation.
While North Korean soldiers are known for their rigorous training and discipline, military analysts express concerns about their effectiveness in the battlefields of Ukraine. Reports suggest that their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the local terrain render them particularly vulnerable to drone and artillery strikes. Nevertheless, Ukrainian military officials believe these North Korean troops are learning valuable lessons in warfare while contributing to Russian strategies that involve overwhelming Ukrainian defenses in Kursk through sheer numbers.
North Korea’s confirmation of troop deployments to Russia underscores a growing military alliance under a mutual defense treaty, with Kim Jong Un framing the actions as necessary to combat Ukrainian forces. The ongoing collaboration poses significant implications for regional security, particularly in the context of weapon exchanges and military strategy. Reports of North Korean casualties highlight the complexities faced by these troops in unfamiliar combat scenarios while indicating their role in the broader conflict.
Original Source: www.expressandstar.com
