SEOUL: North Korea’s decision to send thousands of soldiers to the front lines in Ukraine solidifies its controversial military alliance with Moscow, according to experts speaking to AFP.
Seoul’s intelligence agency reported that around 1,500 North Korean special forces are already in Russia preparing for deployment, with thousands more set to follow soon—marking Pyongyang’s first overseas military deployment.
This action underscores the military agreement reached in June between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which includes a mutual defence clause.
“This establishes a framework for automatic Russian intervention or military support if North Korea faces an attack or crisis,” said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
The involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine indicates the strength of the Putin-Kim deal, according to Hong. He noted that these additional forces could assist Moscow in maintaining occupied territories or advancing further territorial gains.
Although North and South Korea remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 conflict concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, the situation has evolved.
While Kim has developed a nuclear arsenal, South Korea relies on the US nuclear umbrella and regularly conducts large-scale military exercises with Washington—actions that provoke Pyongyang.
By deploying troops to Russia, Kim may aim to establish a more integrated military deterrent with Moscow, similar to the US-South Korea alliance, which could significantly alter the security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula, Hong suggested.
