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North Korea Confirms Troops Sent to Aid Russia in Ukraine Conflict
North Korea has officially confirmed its deployment of troops to Russia to assist in the ongoing war against Ukraine. This marks the first acknowledgment by Pyongyang of its involvement. North Korean forces contributed to the reclaiming of the Kursk region, previously held by Ukrainian forces.
A statement from North Korea’s Central Military Commission, shared by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), revealed that Kim Jong Un had sent soldiers to join Russian forces as part of a mutual defense agreement between the two nations. Kim expressed that the soldiers were sent to “annihilate the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk area in cooperation with the Russian armed forces.”
In the statement, Kim referred to the soldiers as “heroes” who had fought for justice, further praising their actions as embodying the honor of the homeland. He also emphasized that North Korea views its alliance with Russia as an “honor” due to Russia's power.
The strategic partnership between the two countries, solidified by a treaty in June 2024, obligates them to provide military assistance to one another during wartime. North Korea has remained silent regarding the number of soldiers it sent to Russia in October 2024, though estimates suggest around 14,000 North Koreans were deployed, with 3,000 additional soldiers sent as replacements for early losses.
Early reports highlighted that North Korean forces, lacking advanced technology and unfamiliar with drone warfare, suffered significant casualties in the initial stages. However, they quickly adapted and contributed to the successful Russian reclamation of Kursk. Casualty estimates vary, with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reporting 300 dead and 2,700 injured, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy suggested 4,000 casualties, and the US estimated 1,200.
The Russian military has praised the bravery of the North Korean soldiers, with Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of Staff, acknowledging their significant role in defeating Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its defensive operations in the area. The US State Department condemned the involvement of third-party nations like North Korea in the conflict, calling for an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
