Russia and North Korea, Bedfollows and War-Mongers

"We are seeing evidence that there are North Korean troops [that have gone to Russia]."

"What exactly they're doing is left to be seen. If they're co-belligerents, their intention is to participate in this war on Russia's behalf."

"That is a very very serious issue, and it will have impacts not only in Europe; it will also impact things in the Indo-Pacific."

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin

 

"North Korea’s dispatch of the troops to Russia is a provocation that is threatening the security of the Korean peninsula."

"South Korea will not stand by and do nothing."

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

North Korea's soldiers have little, if any, combat experience.  Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images file

"[Kyiv had intelligence about Russia] training two military units from North Korea [involving perhaps] two brigades of 6,000 people each."

"[Ukraine has seen North Korean] officers and technical staff in the temporarily occupied territories [and believes Russia is] preparing a grouping [to enter Ukraine]."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

 

"Rubbish. Knowing his character, Putin would never try to persuade another country to involve its army in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine."

"It would be a step towards the escalation of the conflict if the armed forces of any country, even Belarus, were on the contact line."

"Even if we got involved in the war this would be a path to escalation. Why? Because you, the Anglo-Saxons, would immediately say that another country had got involved on one side... so NATO troops would be deployed to Ukraine."

President Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (Center-R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) walk past children attending a welcoming ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024.(Vladimir Smirnov / POOL / AFP)

Rumours abound, but by Wednesday the U.S. defence secretary agreed that evidence exists affirming that North Korea has dispatched troops to Russia. Should they join the conflict in Ukraine offering practical fighting assistance to Moscow, there would be consequences, he warned. Lawmakers in South Korea were informed by the country's chief spy that 3,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia to receive training on the use of drones and other equipment, prior to deployment to Ukraine battlefields.

According to American Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, this turn of events represent a "next step", an add-on following the provision by North Korea to Russia in the past two years of conflict, of arms. Pyongyang could face consequences, he warned, for helping Russia directly in its war with Ukraine. Analysts, he said, were in the process of analyzing the situation.

Reports that the Russian navy had ferried 1,500 North Korean special warfare troops to Russia this month was publicized most recently by South Korean intelligence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy verified that his government was in possession of intelligence confirming that 10,000 North Korea soldiers were in preparation to join the Russian forces as they advance in their invasion of Ukraine.

Both Russia and North Korea deny that North Korean troops have been transported to Russia for training. Despite that the troop movements have been verified. President Zelenskyy stated his government is confident of the accuracy of the intelligence specifying the situation, to reflect the reality on the ground. In the past two years, Russia and North Korea have firmed their relationship in the annals of yet another axis of evil after signing a major defence agreement that requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance should either country be attacked.

North Korea has been extremely useful to Russia in its arms shipments, which include thousands of metric tons of munitions, helping Russia to replenish its dwindling stockpiles in a war where Ukraine’s forces have long been outgunned and outmanned. For its part in the exchange, cash-strapped North Korea is believed to have received food and other necessities. 

 

It concerns South Korean officials that Russia may reward North Korea for its diplomacy and what is more important, supplying North Korea with sophisticated weapons technologies. As for North Korea, the anticipation may be that Moscow will consider rewarding it through granting sophisticated weapons technologies with the potential to increase the North's nuclear and missile programs targeting South Korea.

Putin and Kim have exchanged gifts and visits as they have deepened their alliance in the past year. Getty Images

"Putin will never use the [nuclear] weapons stationed in Belarus without the Belarusian president’s consent."

"I’m completely ready, [to allow the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine] otherwise why have these weapons? But only if the boot of one [foreign] soldier steps into Belarus."

"We have no plans to attack anyone."

Alexander Lukashenko