President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency security meeting on Friday in response to reports that North Korea has decided to send troops to Russia to aid in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The gathering included senior officials from the National Security Council, the Ministry of National Defense, and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to address the implications of North Korean military involvement in the war.
According to the NIS, North Korea is believed to have deployed four brigades, totaling approximately 12,000 soldiers, which includes special forces. It is the first major deployment of ground troops by North Korea in support of Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, raising severe concerns regarding regional security.
The South Korean presidential office stated that North Korea’s troop dispatch represents a severe security threat to the international community. In light of this development, South Korea plans to utilize all available resources to address the situation effectively.
Participants in the emergency security meeting expressed concern that the escalating military ties between Russia and North Korea have transitioned from mere military supplies to the actual deployment of troops. They labeled this development a security threat to South Korea and the broader international community.
The presidential office confirmed that South Korea and its allies have been closely monitoring North Korean troop movements to Russia since the situation began.
While South Korean officials indicated that it is plausible some North Korean personnel are currently in Russia, they have not clarified the specifics or scale of this deployment.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, North Korean forces are already operating in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, with an additional 10,000 troops reportedly preparing for deployment to support Moscow’s military efforts. However, NATO officials have stated that there is no concrete evidence of North Korean involvement.
North Korea’s and Russia’s recent cooperation intensified following a summit in the Russian Far East last year, where both nations agreed to enhance their military collaboration. In June, their leaders further solidified this partnership by signing a comprehensive strategic agreement with mutual defense commitments. Observers note that this development could escalate regional tensions, given North Korea’s military capabilities.
If confirmed, the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia would represent the country’s first major military engagement since the Korean War, which ended in 1953. South Korea remains vigilant and committed to taking all necessary measures in coordination with the international community to address this evolving security threat.
Both Russia and North Korea have denied allegations of arms transfers and dismissed claims that North Korean military personnel have been deployed to assist Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. The Kremlin has specifically rejected assertions from South Korea regarding the presence of North Korean troops, emphasizing that such allegations are unfounded.
Earlier reports indicated that six North Korean individuals were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in the eastern Donetsk region earlier this month. This incident has raised questions about North Korea’s involvement in the ongoing war. However, both Moscow and Pyongyang continue to deny any active military engagement, despite claims from South Korean and U.S. officials that North Korea has been supplying weapons, including ballistic missiles, to Russia since September of last year.
