In a significant declaration, North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it dispatched troops to aid Russia in its conflict against Ukraine. This revelation came through a report from the state-run news agency KCNA, which detailed how North Korean soldiers, following an order from leader Kim Jong Un, assisted Russian forces in fully liberating the Kursk border region.
The acknowledgment of North Korea’s military contribution comes shortly after Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov praised the “heroism” of the North Korean troops, marking the first public recognition by Moscow of their involvement, which had previously been speculated upon. According to Western officials, it is believed that at least 1,000 out of the 11,000 troops sent from North Korea have been killed in the span of three months.
However, Gerasimov also claimed that Moscow has regained full control of the western Kursk region, a statement disputed by Ukraine. Washington has responded to this development by stating that North Korea must now accept responsibility for prolonging the war.
South Korea and Western intelligence have long stated that Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to Kursk last year, a move that KCNA reported was in line with a mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow. Kim Jong Un emphasized that the soldiers who fought in Kursk are “heroes and representatives of the motherland’s honor,” highlighting that the alliance and brotherhood demonstrated in Kursk will fortify their relationship.
While KCNA did not address what might happen to the North Korean troops once their mission concludes or if they could return home, it stated North Korea’s willingness to support the Russian army again. The report did not specify what would happen to the troops after their mission ends.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine mainly happened after the bilateral relations between Kim and Putin became stronger. This included an accord where both leaders agreed to support each other in case of “aggression.” However, military experts argue that the North Korean troops, reportedly from an elite unit known as the Storm Corps, are not adequately trained for modern warfare and are largely guided by Russian officers.
Despite the perceived lack of preparation, Ukraine’s top military commander, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, acknowledged that the North Korean soldiers present a substantial challenge for the Ukrainian forces, describing them as an additional 11,000-12,000 highly motivated and well-prepared soldiers who operate based on Soviet tactics.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg25wxvpy2o
