SEOUL: South Korea’s Ministry of Defense is keeping a vigilant eye on North Korea’s potential move to dispatch troops to assist Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a statement released Wednesday revealed. This development follows reports that Russia is forming a battalion expected to be comprised of up to 3,000 North Koreans, aimed at addressing its manpower shortages.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the concerns have escalated following Ukrainian media claims about the formation of this special battalion. An official from the ministry highlighted the seriousness with which South Korea is treating these reports. “As there is a possibility of (North Korea) providing troops or civilian personnel, this is being closely monitored,” the official stated.
Further intensifying the situation are the broader implications of such military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. A foreign ministry official expressed Seoul’s apprehensions about the potential military partnership expanding beyond mere arms tr
ade to include troop deployment. “Any cooperation that indirectly or directly helps North Korea strengthen its military force is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions,” the official noted, calling for an immediate cessation of these military dealings.
The allegations of North Korea’s support to Russia with military assets come amid broader accusations from South Korea, the United States, and other nations. These countries claim that North Korea has been supplying arms to Russia, contravening U.N. Security Council resolutions related to North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.
The context of these developments was further underscored last week when South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun briefed lawmakers on the likelihood of North Korean troops being deployed to Ukraine in support of Russia. This briefing followed reports of six North Korean fatalities in a Ukrainian missile strike on Russian-occupied territory earlier this month.
The relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang has notably
strengthened recently, culminating in a treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a summit in Pyongyang in June. The treaty includes a mutual defense clause, signaling deeper military and strategic ties between the two nations.