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North Korea Could Send 100,000 Soldiers to Russia to Support War in Ukraine.
North Korea is reportedly considering deploying up to 100,000 soldiers to support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. This potential move, highlighted by Ukrainian officials and reported by Bloomberg, reflects an evolving strategic partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. Analysts suggest it could signify Russia’s intention to sustain its involvement in the conflict over the long term.
Despite the scale of the potential deployment, doubts persist about the preparedness and effectiveness of North Korean troops (Picture source: KCNA)
Currently, around 11,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to be stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, according to Dmytro Ponomarenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to South Korea. This number may increase to 15,000 through regular rotations every two to three months, potentially reaching 100,000 troops over the course of a year.
The reported compensation for these soldiers is $2,000 per month, a substantial amount for North Koreans, whose average monthly income is less than $1. However, experts believe most of this payment would be appropriated by the North Korean regime. Bruce W. Bennett, a defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, notes that the funds are likely to be redirected to support Kim Jong-un’s priorities, including maintaining elite loyalty and funding regime projects.
Despite the scale of the potential deployment, doubts persist about the preparedness and effectiveness of North Korean troops. Units such as the “Storm Corps,” a special forces group, are reportedly being sent with minimal training, sometimes only a few weeks. Defectors and analysts argue these troops are unlikely to be equipped to handle modern combat or match better-trained adversaries, increasing their likelihood of heavy casualties.
For North Korea, this deployment presents both economic and strategic opportunities. With an economy valued at just $40 billion, the financial gains from this arrangement could be used to procure advanced military technologies from Russia, such as intercontinental ballistic missile systems, reconnaissance satellites, and submarine capabilities. Additionally, a portion of the funds could be allocated to import food and consumer goods, aiming to mitigate domestic unrest and economic strain.
North Korea’s military support for Russia extends beyond manpower. Pyongyang has also provided artillery shells, rocket systems, and other weapons, bolstering the partnership between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin. This growing alignment has raised concerns among Western and Asian allies, with South Korea particularly worried about the implications for Pyongyang’s military modernization.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine is viewed by international leaders as a significant escalation in the conflict. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described it as a “grave provocation” and plans to discuss the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. While China has remained publicly silent on this development, the cooperation between Russia and North Korea could complicate Beijing’s strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The outlook for the North Korean troops themselves is bleak. Many may not receive the wages promised, either due to regime appropriation or fatalities on the battlefield. This arrangement highlights the geopolitical ambitions of both Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, leaving North Korean families to bear the consequences of loss without compensation.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to globalize, this unusual military alliance is reshaping the dynamics of the war, with significant implications for both regional and global stability.