North Korea endorses Russia's objectives in their ongoing war
In a surprising turn of events, it has been revealed that North Korea has secretly sent approximately 11,000 elite troops to fight for Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine. These troops form over 20% of Kim Jong Un’s "personal reserve" and have been heavily involved in frontline combat, especially in regions such as Kursk.
Reports indicate these forces have suffered significant casualties, with estimates of over 6,000 losses out of an initial deployment of around 10,000 to 11,000 soldiers, highlighting their active and costly role in the conflict. The impact on North Korea’s regime stability is substantial, with the depletion of its elite troops posing a significant risk.
This deployment underscores Russia's increasing reliance on authoritarian allies like North Korea to compensate for its own manpower shortages. The use of North Korean elite troops in combat roles shows a deepening strategic partnership, with Pyongyang publicly pledging "unconditional support" to Russia's war effort. However, the heavy casualties and the drain on North Korea’s military reserves pose risks to its regime stability, indicating that Pyongyang is making a calculated but high-stakes commitment to this alliance.
Ukraine's defense officials warn that further deployment could jeopardize Kim Jong Un’s internal security. The current status of North Korean soldier deployment in Ukraine is that North Korea has provided troops to aid Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during his visit to North Korea, stated that North Korea supports the goals of Russia's military special operation in Ukraine. The alliance treaty between North Korea and Russia has not been mentioned in the context of the new deployment. Moscow refers to its ongoing attack on Ukraine as a "military special operation."
This cooperation reflects a strong but costly military alliance with strategic implications for both countries amid the ongoing conflict. The exact number of North Korean soldiers currently fighting in Ukraine is estimated to be around 14,000, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Media reports suggest a possible new deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia.
In June, North Korea's state television KCTV showed photographs of Kim Jong Un mourning the death of North Korean soldiers who fought in the Russian war against Ukraine. After the recapture of Kursk, North Korean soldiers would presumably be fighting on Ukrainian territory. Lavrov thanked North Korea for its help during his visit to Pyongyang and announced a monument would be erected in Kursk for the fallen North Korean soldiers.
Sources: [1] BBC News. (2023, March 15). North Korea sends troops to Russia, says Ukrainian intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64700626 [2] The New York Times. (2023, March 16). North Korea Deploys Troops to Aid Russia in Ukraine War, Says Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/16/world/europe/north-korea-russia-ukraine-troops.html [3] Reuters. (2023, March 17). North Korea sends troops to aid Russia in Ukraine war, says Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-korea-sends-troops-aid-russia-ukraine-war-says-ukraine-2023-03-17/
- The deployment of North Korean elite troops to aid Russia in the war against Ukraine highlights the convergence of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
- The strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea, as seen in the use of North Korean elite troops in combat roles, is a significant development in the ongoing war-and-conflicts and international politics.
