North Korea Strengthens Military Ties with Russia Amid Troop Deployments and Strategic Plans

North Korea has deployed an additional 3,000 troops to support Russia in its Ukraine conflict, amidst plans for a visit by Kim Jong-un to Moscow. This comes after a significant defense agreement with Russia and is part of an ongoing strengthening of military and economic ties. There are also preparations for North Korea to launch a military reconnaissance satellite, indicating continued military ambitions despite setbacks.

Recent reports indicate that North Korea has deployed an additional 3,000 troops to Russia as part of its support for Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine. This development comes at a time when Pyongyang and Moscow are preparing for a visit from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Russia later this year. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko confirmed discussions surrounding this visit and another planned visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Pyongyang.

Should these visits occur, they will mark the first meeting between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin since their last summit in June of last year, which was held in Pyongyang. During that meeting, the two leaders strengthened military and economic cooperation through a defense agreement.

According to South Korea’s military, North Korea may have deployed approximately 11,000 soldiers to the Russia-Ukraine conflict since October of the previous year. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that around 4,000 casualties have been recorded among the deployed soldiers. The recent troop deployment is believed to have occurred despite significant losses suffered by the North Korean military.

Furthermore, North Korea has reportedly provided a substantial quantity of conventional weapons to Russia, including short-range ballistic missiles and various artillery systems. The JCS indicated that this support is expected to continue, contingent upon the evolving situation in Ukraine.

In addition to military support, North Korea is preparing for another attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite with technical assistance from Russia. The South’s military monitors these developments closely, noting no immediate signs of an upcoming launch and stating that efforts are currently focused on improving the launch vehicle.

Pyongyang has also been dismantling transmission towers in the Demilitarized Zone, part of construction projects along the border. This move appears to be a strategy to cut ties with South Korea, particularly following the cessation of electricity supply to the joint industrial park in Kaesong since 2016.

In light of ongoing concerns regarding North Korea’s nuclear advancements, it is noteworthy that the North has scaled down its winter military training this year. Instead, troops are being deployed to assist in infrastructure projects and manage persistent energy shortages. Meanwhile, strategy shifts within North Korea may aim to enhance negotiating power in future discussions with the United States.

The situation between North Korea and Russia continues to evolve, with significant troop deployments supporting Moscow in Ukraine and preparations for high-level visits. The strengthened military cooperation raises concerns over Pyongyang’s ongoing nuclear capabilities and infrastructure projects along the border, as the North attempts to sever ties with Seoul amid a backdrop of increased military activity. Monitoring these developments remains crucial for understanding the geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Original Source: asianews.network