North Korean troops reportedly on Russian front lines amid escalation fears

If North Korean forces engage in combat, it could lead to another country becoming involved in the conflict that started with Russia's invasion in 2022.

South Korea has reported that many North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, prepared to assist in the conflict in Ukraine, particularly in the frontline area of Kursk.

More than 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, according to South Korea's defense ministry, which released this information on Tuesday. This news comes after similar reports from Ukraine and the United States, raising concerns that the involvement of North Korean forces in the conflict could lead to a significant increase in the war's scale, potentially bringing another country into the fight.

"Currently, over 10,000 North Korean troops are in Russia, and we believe that a large number of them are stationed in frontline regions, such as Kursk," spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou stated during a briefing.

The comments were made shortly after the US Pentagon reported that there are at least 10,000 North Korean troops in Kursk. Ukrainian forces have gained control over parts of the border area after launching an invasion in August.

Ukraine's intelligence agency has reported that approximately 12,000 soldiers from North Korea, which includes 500 officers and three generals, are currently in Russia participating in training exercises at military installations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western allies to take action in a recent social media update.

Today, we had a conversation with our military leaders about the Kursk Operation, which has been underway for nearly three months in the Kursk area. This operation is crucial as it helps us preserve a “buffer zone” in specific regions close to our national border.

We should also appreciate the importance of… pic.twitter.com/o8vZQoSCoL

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 4, 2024

"At present, there are around 11,000 North Korean troops deployed in the Kursk area," he noted. "While we observe a rise in North Korean military presence, regrettably, there hasn't been a corresponding increase in support from our allies."

Officials from Kyiv and Western nations have issued alerts that North Korean troops could soon be sent to fight in Ukraine. Meanwhile, diplomats from the United Nations are optimistic that these soldiers may be assigned to roles away from the front lines, focusing on logistical support and other non-combat duties instead.

On Monday, the United States cautioned that North Korean forces would be considered valid military targets if they were to join the fight.

"Everything suggests that they will offer some form of combat or support for combat," stated Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder. "We trust that the Ukrainians will take the necessary actions to protect themselves and their forces."

A representative from Seoul, Jeon, stated that he could not confirm if North Korean forces are currently involved in fighting. Reports from South Korean news outlets indicate that around 40 North Korean soldiers may have lost their lives in battle.

Kyiv officials announced on Monday that Ukrainian forces have already engaged North Korean troops on the battlefield.

According to Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, the initial military troops from North Korea have faced gunfire in the Kursk area. He shared this update on Telegram.

Pyongyang's supply of arms and soldiers to Russia has raised concerns about what support Moscow might offer Kim in exchange.

During a meeting in Seoul on Monday, South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, voiced significant worries about the potential transfer of Russian nuclear or ballistic missile technology to North Korea.

Just as the US presidential election was about to kick off, Pyongyang fired a series of ballistic missiles into the waters off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko commented soon after that the missile tests were a response to what he described as US "provocations" and a necessary step for ensuring security.

Al Jazeera and news organizations