Are 10,000 North Korean troops really heading to Ukraine?
Are 10,000 North Korean soldiers set to participate in Russia's conflict in Ukraine?
During his visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that any involvement from North Korea could be a major trigger for a global conflict, labeling it as "the first step toward a world war."
He also disclosed that "tactical personnel" and military officials from the authoritarian regime are already present in areas of Ukraine that are under Russian control.
According to our sources, North Korea has dispatched tactical troops and officers to areas in Ukraine that are under temporary occupation. They are training around 10,000 soldiers on their own territory; however, these troops have not yet been deployed to Ukraine or Russia, Mr. Zelenskyy mentioned during a press conference with NATO’s new Secretary General, Mark Rutte.
Western officials have not yet verified this information, but it is believed that the UK, the US, and other allies are keeping a close watch on the situation.
Sending North Korean troops to support Moscow would mark a major enhancement in assistance from Pyongyang, which has already supplied substantial quantities of ammunition, such as artillery shells and ballistic missiles.
This action would clearly show the impact that the heavy losses of Russian troops in Ukraine have had on President Vladimir Putin's capacity to recruit enough new soldiers to continue the offensive.
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Western officials report that in September, the daily number of Russian military casualties—both fatalities and injuries—reached 1,217 in Ukraine.
The high rate of attrition indicates that even with thousands of North Korean soldiers, it doesn't translate to "a significant number of casualties that could effectively fill the void," according to a Western official speaking at a news briefing.
There are also concerns regarding how North Koreans would fit into the Russian hierarchy.
The official asked, "How does command and control operate in real terms?" In this context, they were talking about how Russian leaders in Ukraine would instruct North Korean troops on their actions.
"Do the North Koreans and Russians have communication devices that connect with each other? Are they able to communicate in a shared language? What steps are taken to incorporate them into joint operations?" the official questioned.
Another concern that Kim Jong Un, North Korea's secretive leader, likely considers is the risk that any soldiers he deploys outside the country might choose to defect instead of coming back.
"I find that to be a very intriguing observation," remarked the Western official.
"It could potentially shake the core idea—maybe not the entire concept—but definitely the underlying belief. If there are a lot of people involved, that creates a fascinating situation for us."
