North Korea ‘highly likely’ to send troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine, according to South Korea
In a recent announcement, South Korea’s defence minister revealed that it is ‘highly likely’ that North Korean soldiers could be deployed to Ukraine to fight alongside the Russian army. This statement comes after reports surfaced suggesting that North Korea had suffered casualties in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The South Korean defence minister, Kim Yong-hyun, indicated that North Korean troops could be dispatched to Ukraine under the mutual defence treaty signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June. The treaty, which established a ‘comprehensive partnership agreement’, includes provisions for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either country, thereby strengthening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
During a parliamentary audit session, the defence minister informed lawmakers about the potential deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine, citing the mutual treaty between Russia and North Korea as the basis for this likelihood. Additionally, he acknowledged reports of North Korean casualties in Ukraine, stating that it is probable given the circumstances.
Reports from sources like the Kyiv Post and Interfax Ukraine suggested that six North Korean soldiers were killed in a missile strike in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, with three soldiers sustaining injuries and receiving treatment in a Moscow hospital. The US and its allies supporting Ukraine have accused North Korea of supplying weapons and munitions to Russia for use in the conflict.
While both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these allegations, tensions continue to rise as the international community remains divided on the issue. The North Korean foreign ministry condemned NATO for accusing the country of exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine by allegedly providing missiles, shells, and drones to Moscow.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, concerns have been raised regarding the involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict and the implications it may have on the broader geopolitical landscape. As the situation evolves, the international community closely monitors developments in Ukraine, with a focus on the potential implications of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.