North Korea has commenced deploying military personnel to fight alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. This claim has been made by South Korea’s intelligence agency (NIS). After receiving this intelligence, Seoul has issued a warning about serious security threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently alleged that, according to intelligence reports, he believes more than 10,000 North Korean troops might join the war. Following Zelenskyy’s allegation, South Korea raised similar concerns.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened a security meeting today (Friday) regarding this matter. He emphasized that the international community must respond to this development through all possible means.
According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, approximately 1,500 North Korean troops have already reached Russia. Multiple anonymous sources told South Korean media that North Korea might send up to 12,000 troops to fight for Russia.
This new development of troop deployment has emerged amidst allegations that North Korea is supplying military equipment to Russia. Recently, a missile recovered in Ukraine’s Poltava region was identified as North Korean-made.
Moscow and Pyongyang have recently announced strengthening their relationship. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, referring to him as a close comrade.
Yesterday’s security meeting in Seoul included officials from the National Security Office, Ministry of National Defense, National Intelligence Service, and the Presidential Office.
The meeting concluded that this situation cannot be ignored. They will collectively appeal to the international community to respond through all available means.
Previously, Ukrainian intelligence sources revealed that the Russian military is forming a unit with North Korean soldiers.
Earlier this week, Putin introduced a bill to approve a military agreement with Kim. The agreement includes mutual assistance in case of aggression against either country.
NIS claims that North Korean troops are receiving training at four Russian bases. Additionally, North Korea has sent 13,000 containers of military equipment since last August.
However, military experts opine that Russia might face difficult situations with Korean troops on the battlefield. Besides communication problems due to language differences, North Korean troops lack recent combat experience. Nevertheless, they could serve as border guards, allowing Russian troops to participate in other combat areas.
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