North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Support Russia in Ukraine

North Korea has confirmed sending troops to aid Russia in Ukraine for the first time. Approximately 10,000-12,000 troops were reported sent last year under a mutual defense treaty. Kim Jong Un stated the deployment aimed to eliminate Ukrainian forces. Casualty estimates for North Korean troops vary, with reports indicating up to 4,000 have been lost. The situation raises concerns regarding North Korea’s military support and potential rewards from Russia.

North Korea has officially confirmed the deployment of troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This marks the first acknowledgment from the North Korean leadership regarding troop movements, as stated by leader Kim Jong Un. Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence previously indicated that North Korea had dispatched 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers to Russia last year, which North Korea had not commented on until now.

The Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party reported that Kim Jong Un’s decision to send combat troops stemmed from a mutual defense agreement. The statement claimed the deployment aimed to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers” in collaboration with Russian forces, particularly to liberate the Kursk area.

In March, the South Korean military indicated that North Korea had sent an additional 3,000 troops earlier this year due to heavy casualties among their forces on the front lines. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs estimated that around 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky similarly stated that 4,000 North Koreans had suffered casualties, while U.S. estimates were notably lower at about 1,200.

During a meeting with Russian official Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang in March, Kim Jong Un reiterated his strong support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Reports suggest that the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the mutual defense pact established last year.

Moreover, Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko indicated ongoing discussions about a potential visit from Kim Jong Un to Moscow. North Korea has been providing Russia with a large quantity of conventional weapons amidst fears that such support might be reciprocated with high-tech weapon technologies, which would significantly bolster North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.

In exchange for its military support, North Korea is likely to receive economic aid and other benefits from Russia. Despite their rigorous training, North Korean soldiers are considered vulnerable targets on the battlefield, primarily due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain of Eastern Ukraine. Nonetheless, military analysts believe that the North Korean forces are acquiring essential battlefield skills and contributing significantly to Russia’s strategy to overwhelm Ukraine through sheer numbers at the Kursk front.

In summary, North Korea has confirmed the deployment of troops to support Russia in Ukraine, highlighting their mutual defense agreement. While casualty estimates for North Korean soldiers vary, the involvement marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict. With North Korea providing conventional arms and potentially seeking advanced military technology, the geopolitical implications remain complex and concerning for other nations involved, including South Korea and the U.S.

Original Source: www.expressandstar.com