The presence of approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers being deployed to Russia to fight against Ukraine is closely monitored by South Korea and the United States. It is estimated that out of this reinforced force, around 3,000 soldiers are currently stationed in the Kursk region. South Korean officials are planning to send a team to Ukraine to monitor the North Korean troops. The participation of North Korean troops in any combat scenario for the first time since the 1950s raises questions about its impact on the course of the conflict. South Korea and its allies suspect that at least 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia.
More than 3,000 of these soldiers have reportedly been brought close to the front line in the Kursk region in Russia.
Ukrainian forces infiltrated Kursk on August 6th, achieving significant progress in the area. It is reported that the Russian army suffered considerable losses in Kursk.
In a recent statement today, a presidential official disclosed that South Korea aims to send a team to Ukraine to monitor and analyze the deployment of North Korean troops by Russia. Moreover, in light of the tense atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula, the US and South Korean air forces conducted a joint live-fire exercise today to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a strong defensive stance.
Colonel Silva Brian from the US mentioned, “The purpose of today’s exercise is not only to test the readiness of the US Air Force but also to see how the Republic of Korea Air Force can work together in preparing for war.”
Following the announcement made by Seoul and Washington regarding the deployment of North Korean troops by Russia to Ukraine, this development could signify a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. On October 25th, Pyongyang’s government stated that any decision to send its troops to support Russia would adhere to international law.
However, according to Yonhap news agency, North Korean troops are not currently prepared for drone warfare in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Additionally, the agency reported that North Korea has completed preparations for intercontinental ballistic missile launches, implying events could escalate in November. As per an announcement from the office of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol today, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the deployment of North Korean soldiers to the Ukrainian conflict could intensify Russia’s ongoing battle.
Trudeau expressed that the implications of the war could have a broader impact on the security environment in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, as conveyed in the statement from Yoon’s office.
US Defense Department Pentagon’s spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder mentioned that a “relatively small number” of North Korean soldiers are currently situated in the Kursk region where Russia is contesting Ukraine’s occupation.
Ryder stated yesterday that several thousand troops are moving in that direction.
He added, “It is currently unclear how Russia and North Korea will fully utilize these forces,” expecting the deployment to be addressed at a meeting in Washington this week that will involve Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and their South Korean counterparts. According to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, a delegation led by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui set off for Russia on Monday, without specifying the purpose of the visit. A closed-door session was reportedly held at the South Korean parliament involving high-level discussions on negotiating the deployment of additional soldiers to Russia and what North Korea might gain in return, as per lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun participating in the meeting.
North Korean troops have not engaged in any combat since the 1950s.
It is expected that even before entering a war zone, these troops will have to face language barriers, unfamiliar terrain, and military traditions that could be vastly different from their own.
However, recent statements indicate that the troops received Russian language training this week.
The debate continues regarding how the North Korean soldiers will fare against Ukrainian forces.