Deployment of North Korean Troops in Russia-Ukraine War
Russia-Ukraine War :- Speculation has arisen regarding North Korea’s potential deployment of troops to Ukraine to support the Russian army following a recent strategic cooperation agreement signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reports suggest that North Korean engineering brigades might be sent to the occupied areas of the Donetsk region as early as next month, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The initial report about North Korea sending soldiers to Ukraine came from the South Korean TV network TV Chosum. The suggested deployment could involve three or four engineering brigades, each potentially comprising about 5,000 soldiers, similar to the Ukrainian army’s brigade structure.
Financial and Strategic Motivations
Journalists have noted that North Korea could receive up to $115 million annually from Moscow for “engineering work” in Ukraine. Despite this financial incentive, ISW analysts believe that North Korean military personnel are unlikely to engage directly in combat. Instead, their engineering support could free up Russian forces for frontline operations and bolster Russia’s efforts to expand military infrastructure and defensive fortifications in occupied Ukrainian territories.
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Formation of an Alternative World Order
Potential collaboration is seen as part of Russia’s strategy to form a coalition of friendly states with historically warm ties to the former Soviet Union, including North Korea and Vietnam, to “form the basis of an alternative world order.”
Key Considerations and Implications
The possibility of North Korean military engineers being deployed to Russia-Ukraine War emerged shortly after Putin’s visit to North Korea, where he signed a strategic partnership agreement with Kim Jong-un. This agreement includes mutual assistance in the event of an attack on either signatory and cooperation in defense, military technology, economics, and science.
In response, South Korea has indicated that it might reconsider its stance on arms supplies to Ukraine if Russia starts providing weapons to North Korea. However, it is important to note that North Korea has already been assisting Russia in Russia-Ukraine War by supplying ammunition and ballistic missiles even before the signing of this agreement. For Ukraine, this situation doesn’t represent a significant change, as North Korean support for Russia has been ongoing.