North Korea Deploys 10,000 Troops to Support Russia in Ukraine Conflict

SEOUL: South Korea's intelligence agency has confirmed the deployment of approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This significant military cooperation marks a deepening of ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, further complicating international diplomatic tensions. According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) verified that the movement of North Korean troops began in early October, with soldiers being transported aboard Russian Navy ships. The first batch of troops, around 1,500 soldiers, was moved using amphibious landing ships and escort vessels from cities such as Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan to Vladivostok. Further details provided by the NIS indicate that North Korean forces are being integrated with Russian military units in various locations across Russia's Far East, including Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk. The troops, which include some of North Korea's most elite military units, have been issued Russian military uniforms and weapons and provided with fake identifications to disguise them as local forces. The Seoul-based agency expects a second phase of troop deployment to occur soon, potentially increasing the total number of deployed personnel to around 12,000. Once these troops complete their adaptation training in Russia, they are expected to be sent to the front lines in Ukraine. This deployment follows a recent summit in Pyongyang where Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a new partnership treaty, which includes a mutual defense clause. The treaty and the troop deployment underscore the strengthening military and diplomatic ties between the two nations, amidst ongoing international criticism and potential sanctions. In response to these developments, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed that the organization is in close contact with partners, including the Republic of Korea, to monitor the situation. The European Union has also indicated r eadiness to respond, including imposing additional sanctions if the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia continues.