The North Korean government's announcement highlights a deepening alliance with Russia, emphasizing its commitment to mutual defense and military collaboration.
**N Korea Acknowledges Troops Engaged in Ukraine Conflict Supporting Russia**
**N Korea Acknowledges Troops Engaged in Ukraine Conflict Supporting Russia**
North Korea confirms its military involvement in the ongoing Ukraine war, providing support to Russian forces.
North Korea has officially declared its deployment of troops to support Russian forces in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. This confirmation came through a report from state news agency KCNA, where the North Korean military claimed that the soldiers contributed significantly to the efforts of Russian forces to "completely liberate" the Kursk region. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly issued the order for this military engagement.
This revelation follows recent statements from Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, who commended the "heroism" of the North Korean troops—a public acknowledgment of their involvement by the Kremlin for the first time. Meanwhile, Western intelligence agencies had previously estimated that at least 1,000 out of approximately 11,000 North Korean troops sent to the region had been killed within three months of their deployment. Gerasimov asserted that Russia regained complete control of the Kursk area, although Ukraine refuted this claim.
The United States responded to North Korea's announcement by asserting that Pyongyang must take accountability for its role in escalating the conflict. The KCNA report mentioned that the decision to deploy these troops aligned with a mutual defense treaty between North Korea and Russia. Kim described the soldiers as "heroes" and "representatives of the honour of the motherland," highlighting the close ties between the two nations that they claim have been forged through shared military sacrifices.
The report further indicated that North Korea would be prepared to support the Russian military again in the future. However, there was no information provided regarding the future of these North Korean troops following their mission in Kursk, raising questions about their ability to return home.
Speculation of North Korean troops fighting for Russia first emerged in October as relations between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin deepened. This included the signing of agreements where both leaders pledged mutual support in the face of any perceived aggression.
Military analysts have noted that the troops, reportedly from an elite unit known as the Storm Corps, may be ill-equipped for modern combat tactics. Despite this, Ukrainian military leaders have expressed concerns about the potential impact of these North Korean soldiers, indicating that their numbers and willingness to engage could pose a serious challenge on the front lines.
Both nations continue to foster their military alliance, with South Korean and Western intelligence monitoring developments closely as the conflict persists.
