editor
North Korea has officially confirmed it is sending thousands of troops to Russia, deepening its military alliance with Moscow as the war in Ukraine drags on.
The rare announcement came through North Korean state media over the weekend, describing the soldiers as “heroes of a new global order.” Leader Kim Jong Un praised the deployment, calling it a demonstration of North Korea’s unwavering support for what he termed Russia’s “struggle for sovereignty.”
Reports from intelligence agencies, particularly South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, estimate that around 14,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in Russia. Many of them reportedly underwent intensive training at Russian military bases before being assigned to combat units near the front lines, notably in the volatile Kursk region. Although Russian sources claim gains in the area, Ukrainian officials maintain that fierce resistance is holding back enemy advances.
This deployment is the first large-scale military operation North Korea has engaged in outside its borders since the Korean War, representing a significant break from its traditionally isolationist stance. It follows a mutual defense treaty signed last year between Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledging military support if either nation faces external threats.
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Global reactions have been swift and overwhelmingly critical. In Washington, U.S. officials condemned the move, warning that it violates multiple United Nations sanctions and could escalate an already volatile conflict. South Korea’s foreign ministry issued an even harsher rebuke, calling North Korea’s actions “reckless, criminal, and a grave threat to regional peace.”
Analysts suggest North Korea has multiple motivations: not only demonstrating loyalty to Russia in exchange for economic and military support, but also gaining valuable modern warfare experience for its largely untested forces. However, early reports from the battlefield hint at a steep learning curve. Ukrainian commanders claim that units of North Korean fighters have already suffered heavy casualties in recent clashes.
Despite official statements from Pyongyang touting a new era of solidarity, some experts caution that North Korea’s gamble could backfire. Aligning so visibly with Russia may deepen its diplomatic isolation — particularly if international sanctions tighten in response.
