South Korean Intelligence Announces Deployment of 12,000 North Korean Soldiers to Russia.

The war in Ukraine has taken a new and alarming turn with North Korea's active participation alongside Russia. South Korean intelligence services announced on October 18, 2024, that Pyongyang has decided to send a military contingent of 12,000 soldiers to reinforce Russian troops, a level of support that goes beyond the simple transfer of weaponry. However, it should be noted that there is currently no formal evidence confirming the direct involvement of North Korean soldiers in the Ukrainian conflict.
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Soldiers march during a military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Korea's army at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on February 8, 2023 (Picture source: KCNA)

North Korea has already begun deploying an initial group of 1,500 special forces soldiers to Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, according to information published by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency on October 18, 2024. Once trained in Russian military bases, these soldiers will be sent to the front lines in Ukraine. This direct military support, which could expand to a total of four brigades comprising 12,000 soldiers, including special forces, is considered by Seoul to be a serious threat to the security of not only South Korea but also the international community.

Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has intensified in recent months, with exchanges of arms and now troops. According to intelligence services, North Korean forces were transported to Russia aboard Russian Navy ships, confirming Pyongyang’s intent to provide active military support to Moscow in its campaign against Ukraine. The North Korean soldiers have been stationed in several Russian military bases, notably in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently highlighted this threat, stating that North Korea is preparing to send around 10,000 soldiers to make up for Russian battlefield losses. This announcement was followed by satellite images published by South Korean intelligence, showing the deployment of North Korean troops on Russian soil.

Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has intensified in recent months, with exchanges of arms and now troops (Picture source: KCNA)

In response to this situation, NATO remains cautious. Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that, for now, the Alliance does not have formal evidence confirming the direct involvement of North Korean soldiers in the Ukrainian conflict but acknowledged that this situation could change at any time.

Pyongyang’s decision to send troops marks a significant development in the evolution of relations between North Korea and Russia. For several months, the two countries have been strengthening their military ties, as evidenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June this year. During the visit, a mutual defense agreement was signed, though its details have not been made public.

North Korea, often accused by Seoul of violating international sanctions by supplying weapons to Russia, likely views the war in Ukraine as a unique opportunity to test its military capabilities in a real conflict. According to Hong Sung-pyo, an expert at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, the North Korean army, which has long trained in isolation with outdated equipment, could gain valuable intelligence from its participation in this conflict. However, this involvement also carries risks, particularly for the lives of North Korean soldiers, who will likely be sent to the front lines.