In a significant development, North Korea has officially confirmed its deployment of troops to Russia. According to the state news agency KCNA, these soldiers have been assisting Moscow in reclaiming territory previously held by Ukraine in the Kursk region.
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This revelation comes just days after Russia acknowledged North Korea’s involvement. For some time, South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have reported that Pyongyang dispatched over 10,000 soldiers to aid in operations in Kursk last year. As the Central Military Commission stated in the KCNA report, “The sub-units of our armed forces participated in operations for liberating the Kursk areas according to the order of the head of state of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s decision to send troops aligns with a mutual defense treaty between the two nations. The report adds that “the operations for liberating the Kursk area to repel the adventurous invasion of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian authorities were victoriously concluded.”
However, the U.S. Department of Defense has voiced strong concerns about North Korea’s direct participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine. A spokesperson reiterated, “We continue to be concerned by North Korea’s direct involvement in the war,” emphasizing that both North Korea’s military deployment to Russia and any reciprocal support must cease. The spokesperson noted that third countries, including North Korea, “bear responsibility” for the ongoing conflict.
On a different note, Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov commended the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers, asserting that they have “provided significant assistance in defeating the group of Ukrainian armed forces.” In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s army continues to engage in battle in Kursk, despite Moscow’s claims of “liberation” in the area.
In conclusion, the Central Military Commission of North Korea characterized this military engagement as a testament to the “firm militant friendship” between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
