OCTOBER 24 2024, The South Korean intelligence is of the view that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is ready to dispatch 12,000 soldiers to support Russia in the current conflict with Ukraine. If confirmed, this would constitute a major military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow, greatly concerning the Western powers about escalating tensions.
A Growing Military Alliance
South Korean officials say the North Korean troops are likely to be sent for logistical and combat support. The deployment comes after recent meetings between Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting what many analysts say is an increasingly close military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow.
The alliance is generally considered a mutual means of countering Western influence, whereby Russia seeks manpower to deploy in Ukraine and North Korea receives access to military technology and attendant economic benefits.
Strong Warning by U.S.
The U.S. quickly responded to the information, cautioning that any North Korean forces dispatched to Ukraine would be considered “fair game” on the battlefield. A senior U.S. official elaborated that North Korean troops would be dealt with as active combatants and thus would run the same risks as those from Russian forces.
This is an escalatory step, and we will treat it as such,” the official said. “Any foreign fighter who becomes a proxy of Russia’s illegal war will face the same consequences.”
Rising Concerns Among Allies
The report deepens alarm for South Korea, the U.S., and NATO allies, which are wary that deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia may further destabilize the region. So far, both South Korea and Japan have been concerned with the potential weapons technology transfer between the two nations that can be used for enhancing North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.
What’s Next?
The situation is fluid and closely followed through diplomatic channels. If confirmed, deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine would likely generate more sanctions and international condemnation. Meanwhile, Ukraine, together with its allies, prepares for potential new challenges on the battlefield.
