North Korea Sends Troops to Support Russia: A Looming Security Threat
wbragin 19-Oct, 10:44 0 World / Videosbbc.com, In a shocking development, South Korea's intelligence agency has revealed that North Korea is deploying troops to support Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This move has raised alarms, with officials in Seoul labeling it a "grave security threat."
The announcement follows comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who indicated that up to 10,000 North Korean soldiers might soon be involved in the war. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an urgent security meeting, emphasizing the need for the international community to respond decisively.
According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), 1,500 North Korean troops have already reached Russia, with reports suggesting the total could rise to 12,000. This escalation coincides with increasing evidence of North Korea supplying ammunition to Russia, including the recent recovery of a missile in Ukraine's Poltava region.
In recent months, ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday, calling him his "closest comrade." In response to these developments, key officials from South Korea’s National Security Office, Ministry of National Defense, and National Intelligence Service met to formulate a coordinated response to this evolving situation.
Ukraine's military intelligence also supports these claims, with reports suggesting that nearly 11,000 North Korean troops are currently training in eastern Russia, poised to join the fight by November 1. They are expected to utilize Russian military equipment and ammunition, with an initial group of 2,600 soldiers set to be dispatched to Russia's western Kursk region.
Moreover, Putin is pushing a bill to formalize a military pact with Kim, solidifying a commitment for mutual support in case of "aggression" against either nation. The NIS has detailed that North Korean troops are receiving training at various military bases across Russia, including Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Vlagoveshensk.
Recent aerial surveillance images reveal large gatherings of North Korean forces at these locations, while reports have surfaced of a Russian vessel transporting North Korean soldiers from Chongjin port. The NIS also reported a significant shipment from North Korea, consisting of 13,000 containers filled with shells, missiles, and anti-armor rockets—potentially amounting to eight million rounds of artillery.
Despite these developments, some military experts caution that integrating North Korean troops into Russian forces may present challenges. The language barrier and a lack of recent combat experience could complicate their operational effectiveness. Some analysts suggest that North Korean units might be deployed to guard the Russian-Ukrainian border, freeing up Russian soldiers for frontline engagements elsewhere.
As tensions rise, the world watches closely to see how this unprecedented military collaboration unfolds.
The announcement follows comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who indicated that up to 10,000 North Korean soldiers might soon be involved in the war. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an urgent security meeting, emphasizing the need for the international community to respond decisively.
According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), 1,500 North Korean troops have already reached Russia, with reports suggesting the total could rise to 12,000. This escalation coincides with increasing evidence of North Korea supplying ammunition to Russia, including the recent recovery of a missile in Ukraine's Poltava region.
In recent months, ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday, calling him his "closest comrade." In response to these developments, key officials from South Korea’s National Security Office, Ministry of National Defense, and National Intelligence Service met to formulate a coordinated response to this evolving situation.
Ukraine's military intelligence also supports these claims, with reports suggesting that nearly 11,000 North Korean troops are currently training in eastern Russia, poised to join the fight by November 1. They are expected to utilize Russian military equipment and ammunition, with an initial group of 2,600 soldiers set to be dispatched to Russia's western Kursk region.
Moreover, Putin is pushing a bill to formalize a military pact with Kim, solidifying a commitment for mutual support in case of "aggression" against either nation. The NIS has detailed that North Korean troops are receiving training at various military bases across Russia, including Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Vlagoveshensk.
Recent aerial surveillance images reveal large gatherings of North Korean forces at these locations, while reports have surfaced of a Russian vessel transporting North Korean soldiers from Chongjin port. The NIS also reported a significant shipment from North Korea, consisting of 13,000 containers filled with shells, missiles, and anti-armor rockets—potentially amounting to eight million rounds of artillery.
Despite these developments, some military experts caution that integrating North Korean troops into Russian forces may present challenges. The language barrier and a lack of recent combat experience could complicate their operational effectiveness. Some analysts suggest that North Korean units might be deployed to guard the Russian-Ukrainian border, freeing up Russian soldiers for frontline engagements elsewhere.
As tensions rise, the world watches closely to see how this unprecedented military collaboration unfolds.