US Warns of North Korea's Increasing Military Support for Russia in Ukraine War

US Warns of North Korea's Increasing Military Support

U.S. Raises Alarm Over North Korea's Military Support for Russia in Ukraine War

The United States has voiced increasing concern regarding North Korea's growing military assistance to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated on Wednesday that Washington and its allies are alarmed by North Korea's nuclear threats and evidence that it is supplying military materials, including artillery and missiles, to support Moscow.

Campbell made these remarks following discussions with South Korean and Japanese officials focused on intensifying international pressure on North Korea. This comes as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula, with Pyongyang conducting more weapons tests and making threats against South Korea.

The expansion of North Korea's military support for Russia has raised red flags for the U.S. and its allies. While addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claims that North Korean soldiers are being deployed to fight in Ukraine, Campbell noted that the U.S. could not verify these reports but assured that they are "monitoring the situation closely" due to growing concerns over North Korea's involvement.

Reports from Ukrainian media indicated that six North Korean soldiers were killed in a missile strike on October 3, further fueling speculation about the potential deployment of personnel to the front lines. Ukrainian officials also mentioned sightings of North Korean troops deserting shortly after their arrival, suggesting low morale or possible mismanagement.

North Korea's ties with Russia have strengthened since the onset of the Ukraine war on February 24, 2022, particularly as Moscow faces increasing international isolation. In March, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution, effectively halting international monitoring of sanctions against North Korea. Western nations have accused Russia of trying to shield its arms purchases from Pyongyang to maintain its military efforts in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and eight other Western nations announced plans to establish a multinational team to monitor North Korean sanctions enforcement, aimed at countering its arms sales to Russia, which Campbell stated are destabilizing Europe.

"We are concerned by them, and we agreed to continue monitoring the situation closely," Campbell said. North Korea's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war coincides with its ongoing threats against South Korea. Pyongyang accused Seoul of deploying drones to drop propaganda leaflets over its territory, threatening retaliation if these actions persist.

In a symbolic gesture, North Korea recently demolished sections of unused road and rail routes that once linked it to South Korea, expressing frustration with Seoul's conservative government and underscoring heightened tensions on the peninsula.

Since 2022, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has leveraged the distraction caused by Russia's war in Ukraine to accelerate his country's weapons testing. In response, Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo have ramped up joint military exercises and fortified their nuclear deterrent strategies. After discussions with Campbell and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun condemned North Korea's provocations, stating, "We have agreed to maintain a solid South Korea-U.S. combined posture to respond firmly to North Korean provocations."

US Warns of North Korea's Increasing Military Support for Russia in Ukraine War