Seoul, October 22, 2024 – South Korean lawmakers revealed that North Korea has deployed around 3,000 troops to Russia to support its military efforts in Ukraine. The announcement follows an intelligence briefing provided to South Korea’s parliament, highlighting growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang amid the ongoing conflict.
According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), the North Korean troops were reportedly sent under a covert agreement to assist Russian operations, focusing primarily on logistics and battlefield support. While there are no indications that these soldiers are participating directly in frontline combat, their deployment underscores an unprecedented military alignment between Russia and North Korea.
The news comes after several high-level meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Speculation has been rife that the two nations are bolstering military cooperation, with North Korea providing artillery shells and ammunition in exchange for technology or energy resources from Russia.
“This is not just about arms shipments anymore. North Korea’s involvement is becoming more direct,” said one South Korean lawmaker after the briefing. “It raises serious regional security concerns.”
Western nations, including the U.S. and South Korea, have condemned any military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, warning that such moves could exacerbate tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Officials in South Korea are monitoring the situation closely, fearing that increased cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang could embolden North Korea’s own military ambitions. The involvement of North Korean troops also raises the stakes for international responses to Russia’s war in Ukraine, complicating efforts to isolate both countries diplomatically.
Russia has not officially confirmed the deployment of North Korean forces, while Pyongyang remains silent on the matter. However, analysts view this development as a reflection of both countries’ growing defiance against Western sanctions and diplomatic pressure.