North Korean soldiers have officially entered the fray in the war against Ukraine, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict. Both Russia and North Korea have confirmed that Pyongyang has deployed troops to assist Moscow in its ongoing military operations, particularly in the Kursk region.
According to a report from North Korea’s state-run KCNA, leader Kim Jong-un revealed that the decision to send soldiers to Russia was based on a mutual defense agreement between the two nations. North Korean units reportedly played a pivotal role in helping Russia reclaim territory previously under Ukrainian control, with a particular focus on the Kursk area.
This development was further acknowledged by Russia’s top military officials. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, confirmed during a video call with President Vladimir Putin that North Korean soldiers had contributed significantly to the region’s “liberation.”
From a legal standpoint, North Korea’s involvement is a serious violation of international law, but Russian officials insist that the deployment aligns with the strategic partnership treaty between the two countries, which allows for military cooperation in times of conflict.
Intelligence sources from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine estimate that North Korea sent between 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia last fall. South Korean intelligence reports that the North Korean military has suffered around 4,000 casualties, including both dead and wounded soldiers.
Beyond manpower, North Korea has also been supplying Russia with substantial quantities of military equipment. This includes short-range missiles, self-propelled guns, and multiple rocket launchers, according to South Korean officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been outspoken in accusing North Korea of bolstering Russia not only with weaponry but with troops as well. Ukraine points to captured North Korean soldiers as undeniable proof of the country’s involvement in the war.
The United States has raised alarms over North Korea’s direct participation. A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed serious concern, stating that North Korea’s military support for Russia, along with any reciprocal aid from Moscow, must cease immediately.
