North Korea’s foreign minister arrived in Russia on Tuesday to engage in talks amid the Russia-Ukraine war, which appears to be taking a dramatic new turn. This development has prompted alarm in NATO and South Korea as North Korean troops could soon support Moscow in the conflict. NATO announced on Monday that thousands of North Korean troops are allegedly moving toward the front lines, prompting Kyiv to increase calls for additional weapons and a coordinated international strategy to counteract this escalation.
On Tuesday, two U.S. officials confirmed that some North Korean soldiers have already reached Russia’s Kursk region, a border area near Ukraine where significant clashes occurred in August, with Ukrainian forces occupying hundreds of square kilometers. The United States has clarified that if North Korean troops become actively involved in combat, they would be “fair game” for Ukrainian attacks. Washington has further stated that it would not place any new restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons in response to North Korea’s involvement.
In South Korea, there is heightened concern over the implications of North Korean troops aligning with Russia. South Korean officials worry about what Russia might offer Pyongyang in exchange for this alliance. South Korea remains technically at war with the North, following the armistice that ended hostilities in the Korean War in 1953 but did not lead to a peace treaty.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui arrived in Russia’s far east on Tuesday, intending to continue to Moscow. This marks her second visit to Russia in six weeks, though Russian media reported that it was unclear who Choe would meet. The Kremlin has stated that President Vladimir Putin currently has no plans to meet with her directly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, following discussions with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, described the arrival of North Korean forces as a new phase in the war. “This war is becoming internationalized, extending beyond two countries,” Zelenskiy stated on social media platform X. Both leaders agreed to increase intelligence sharing and enhance collaboration at all levels to develop strategies that counteract this escalation. President Yoon expressed his concerns, emphasizing that if North Korea gains military knowledge and support from Russia, it could pose a significant threat to South Korea’s national security. In response to North Korea’s potential involvement, South Korea has suggested it may begin supplying weapons to Ukraine. While President Putin has not directly addressed the presence of North Korean troops, he has not denied it either.
Symbolic or Strategic?
The role North Korean troops may play in the Russia-Ukraine war remains uncertain. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), while the numbers suggest it’s more than a mere symbolic gesture, the troops are expected to perform primarily supportive functions, representing less than 1% of Russia’s forces. CSIS notes that this deployment is likely part of Russia’s broader efforts to bolster manpower without initiating another large-scale mobilization. The possibility remains that the North Korean presence could grow if the situation demands.
Analysts suggest that this partnership between Russia and North Korea might also serve a political purpose, helping both nations strengthen their relations with China while signaling resistance to the United States and its allies. Gilbert Rozman, from The Asan Forum, observed that Moscow’s ties with Pyongyang provide it with leverage over both U.S. allies and China. Russia, needing a partner discontented with the global status quo but careful not to provoke China, sees North Korea as fulfilling this role by potentially supplying arms or labor.
One diplomat, who requested anonymity, speculated that while a few thousand North Korean troops may not significantly impact the war’s outcome, their presence highlights Russia’s capability to destabilize international norms if it so chooses. “Integrating North Korean troops into a very complex war machine is not easy. But using their presence to scare the United States and its allies in Asia is quite simple,” the diplomat noted.
Troops in Training
The conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has evolved into a protracted war characterized by high casualty rates on both sides along front lines primarily in eastern Ukraine. Recent reports from the Pentagon estimate that around 10,000 North Korean troops are stationed in eastern Russia for training purposes, a significant increase from the previously estimated 3,000 troops just last Wednesday. South Korean lawmakers, briefed by their nation’s spy agency, reported that Russian military personnel are attempting to teach military terminology and procedures to the North Korean soldiers.
Russian support for North Korea extends beyond training. Moscow is also providing technical assistance for North Korea’s satellite program, supporting Pyongyang’s ambitions to develop a fleet of spy satellites. Intelligence officials from the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine have revealed that North Korea has supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and other weapons in recent months, strengthening Moscow’s position in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
The Global Implications of North Korea’s Involvement
The recent moves by North Korea and Russia signal a significant shift in the dynamics of the Ukraine conflict, with potential ramifications for regional and global security. As North Korean troops join Russian forces, this collaboration could heighten tensions with NATO and the United States, pushing both sides into deeper strategic alliances and intensifying the international response. This evolving partnership presents a new challenge to diplomatic relations and underscores the complex network of alliances influencing the course of the war.
