Jamie Spencer
On Friday, the United States, South Korea, and Japan issued a unified warning regarding the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia, expressing “grave concern” over their potential use against Ukraine. National security advisers from the three nations underscored that this development underscores an alarming deepening of military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, as shared by White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby.
Growing Military Ties Between Russia and North Korea
The White House confirmed that U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held discussions with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, Shin Won-sik and Takeo Akiba, respectively, addressing the North Korean troop presence in Russia. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby noted that the security advisers condemned the North Korean troop deployment and the ongoing transfer of arms and missiles between Russia and North Korea, which violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.
“The national security advisers express grave concern over troop deployments by North Korea in Russia, potentially for use against Ukraine,” Kirby said, highlighting the broader implications of North Korea’s involvement. Kirby further stated, “The presence of North Korean troops and weapons transfers expands the security implications of Russia’s brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific.”
Russia’s Response to North Korean Troops
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not denied the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. On Thursday, Putin implied that Moscow’s relationship with Pyongyang falls within the terms of a treaty with a mutual defense clause, allowing both nations to support one another against external threats.
Following these statements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared an intelligence report on social media platform X, indicating that Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops as early as Sunday, though he did not specify their destination. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, are already stationed at five military bases across Russia.
Possible Deployment of North Korean Troops
Kirby acknowledged reports suggesting that there could be more than 3,000 North Korean troops currently in Russia, a significant increase from the initial estimates. He added that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation to verify whether more troops could be deployed.
Some of these North Korean soldiers may be directed to engage Ukrainian forces in the Russian-held Kursk region, Kirby noted. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, continues to face resistance from Ukrainian forces, and the addition of North Korean troops could signal a shift in Russia’s military strategy.
The deployment of North Korean troops in Russia signals an intensifying alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang, with far-reaching security implications that extend beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific region. As international tensions rise, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan are closely watching these developments, urging both Russia and North Korea to halt their military cooperation. The involvement of North Korean forces in the Ukraine conflict adds a complex new dimension to the war, further complicating global security dynamics.
