North Korea Sends Troops to Support Russia in Ukraine: South Korean Intelligence Reports

North Korea Sends Troops

In a startling development, North Korea has begun sending troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as reported by South Korea's intelligence agency. This news follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that up to 10,000 North Korean soldiers could join the fight.

Responding to these grave concerns, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a security meeting to discuss the implications and called for a comprehensive international response. According to the intelligence agency, approximately 1,500 North Korean troops are already in Russia, with projections suggesting that the total could rise to around 12,000.

Evidence is mounting that North Korea is not only sending troops but also supplying munitions to Russia. A recent missile recovery in Ukraine’s Poltava region highlights this growing military collaboration. The relationship between the two countries has deepened recently, with Kim Jong Un publicly acknowledging Russian President Vladimir Putin as his "closest comrade" during a recent birthday celebration.

During the security meeting, top officials from South Korea’s National Security Office and defense agencies gathered to assess the situation. They concluded that it is vital to address the unfolding developments in concert with the global community.

In addition to troop deployments, there are reports that Russia is forming a specialized unit consisting of North Korean soldiers. The National Intelligence Service has indicated that these troops are training at military bases in Vladivostok and Ussuriysk.

Aerial surveillance images released by the intelligence agency depict large groups of North Korean soldiers at these locations, as well as evidence of Russian ships transporting troops from North Korea.

Since August, North Korea is believed to have sent thousands of shipping containers filled with artillery shells and missiles to Russia. Estimates suggest that as many as eight million artillery shells may have been dispatched.

Despite this significant military support, some analysts express skepticism about the effectiveness of North Korean troops in the Russian military. Issues such as language barriers and a lack of recent combat experience could complicate their integration into Russian operations.

For now, it seems likely that North Korean forces may initially serve in defensive roles along the Russian-Ukrainian border, freeing up Russian units for other combat missions rather than being immediately deployed to the front lines.

North Korea Sends Troops to Support Russia in Ukraine: South Korean Intelligence Reports