more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia? What we know

INTERNATIONAL – A possible turning point in the war in Ukraine. The South Korean intelligence service (NIS) said this Friday, October 18, that North Korea has already sent 1,500 soldiers of its special forces to Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, and plans to send up to 12,000 soldiers to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. The NIS released detailed satellite images showing, according to it, the first deployment of these soldiers.

In the process, the South Korean presidency warned that Pyongyang’s growing support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine will “ beyond the transfer of military equipment and results in troop deployments”and constitutes a “ significant threat to the security not only of our country but also of the international community.”

The day before, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had information that North Korea was training some 10,000 troops to support Russia in its military campaign against kyiv. Ukrainian media recently reported that six North Korean servicemen were killed during a Ukrainian missile strike on a Russian-occupied area near Donetsk (eastern Ukraine) on October 3. Here’s what we know.

• What the South Korean intelligence service said

Detailed satellite images in support, the South Korean intelligence service indicated that it had “ detected from 8 to 13 (October) that North Korea transported its special forces to Russia in a Russian navy transport ship, confirming the start of North Korea’s military participation”.

Also according to the NIS, several Russian landing ships and frigates have already completed the transport of the first contingent of North Korean troops of at least 1,500 soldiers, who are currently stationed at military bases in the Russian Far East, including “ à Vladivostok, Oussouriisk, Khabarovsk et Blagovechtchensk »South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said in a statement.

These soldiers should be deployed to the front lines (of the Ukrainian conflict) as soon as they have completed their acclimatization training”South Korean intelligence said. “This appears to be an attempt to hide the fact that they are North Korean soldiers by passing them off as Russian soldiers”accused the NIS.

• NATO has not yet confirmed this information “at this stage”

NATO cannot confirm “ at this stage » North Korea’s deployment of troops in Russia, its Secretary General Mark Rutte said this Friday. “But, of course, that can change”he added.

At the same time, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP that this possible operation showed a desire by Moscow to seek a “ bigger and longer war » in Ukraine, trying “ to train his allies there”. « This can complicate the situation” on the battlefield, added this official.

For its part, China, an ally of Pyongyang and Moscow, reiterated its hope for a “ de-escalation » a Ukraine. “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We hope that all parties will work to defuse the situation and commit to a political settlement.”indicated the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Important rapprochements between Moscow and Pyongyang

As relations between Pyongyang and Seoul have deteriorated in recent months, nuclear-armed North Korea has moved closer to Russia, a longtime ally of the North Korean regime. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a special visit to Pyongyang in June this year, during which the two countries signed a mutual defense agreement, the details of which had not been disclosed.

North Korea has an interest in sending troops to fight in Ukraine, said Hong Sung-pyo, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Military Affairs. “The North Korean army has mainly trained in isolation”using “ obsolete weapons, and lack of experience abroad »he declared. In this context, North Korea probably considers Ukraine “ as a conflict from which he can draw valuable information”« even if it means risking the lives of its own citizens”estimates the expert.

South Korea has long accused the North of supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which would violate U.N. sanctions on both countries. Ukraine also recently judged that North Korea constituted its “ biggest problem » among Russia’s allies.

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