In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to North Korea in over twenty years to meet with leader Kim Jong Un. Reuters
North Korea is reportedly sending citizens to assist Russia’s military in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This news has raised alarms about the deepening alliance between North Korea and Russia, especially as the war continues to escalate.
In his recent video address, Zelensky stated, “We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces.” His comments highlight a shift in the nature of support that North Korea is providing, moving beyond just arms to include personnel as well.
This development comes amid a warming relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in June, marking the first such visit in over two decades. Observers from the West have been curious about the extent of North Korea's assistance to Russia, particularly regarding its invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky emphasized the need for Ukraine to strengthen ties with its allies, stating, “Obviously, in such circumstances, our relations with our partners need to be developed. The frontline needs more support.” He reiterated his appeal for Western countries to provide Kyiv with long-range missiles that could strike Russian positions.
Adding weight to Zelensky’s claims, a source from Ukrainian intelligence, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, reported that a small number of North Koreans are indeed working alongside the Russian military. Their contributions are primarily in engineering and sharing insights on North Korean munitions. Tragically, some of these North Korean personnel have reportedly been killed in eastern Ukraine, as confirmed by the source.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed these allegations as “another hoax.” Despite this, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has indicated that it is closely monitoring the situation and considers the claims of North Korean personnel aiding Russia to be plausible.
Kim Yong-hyun, South Korea’s Defense Minister, expressed belief in the likelihood of North Korean military casualties in Ukraine, stating, “We believe that the possibility of further deployment of regular troops is very high.” He added that North Korea and Russia seem to be forming a military alliance, which would necessitate South Korea being prepared for such developments.
Both North Korea and Russia have been accused by multiple nations of collaborating to provide military support, a claim that both deny despite evidence suggesting such transfers are happening. The relationship between the two nations has notably strengthened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
During Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, both leaders agreed to bolster military cooperation, committing to assist each other in the event of attacks. Putin remarked that their ties are reaching a “new level,” emphasizing the growing partnership between the two isolated nations.
In a show of solidarity, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his unwavering support for Russia's actions, stating that he stands with the Russian government and people in their fight to protect their sovereignty and stability, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
