What’s New
South Korea‘s military has said that North Korea is preparing to deploy more troops and send additional equipment to Russia after approximately 1,100 soldiers have been killed to support Moscow’s war with Ukraine, according to Seoul news outlet Yonhap News Agency.
This news from the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), consisting of chiefs from each branch of South Korea’s military, comes after Pyongyang previously deployed more than 11,000 soldiers to the frontlines in Kursk.
Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in the U.K. and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The additional deployment of North Korean troops and sending of more weapons to Russia is significant because the mobilization of more troops may extend the length of the war with Ukraine, and delay peace negotiations. Moreover, North Korea’s shipment of additional weapons may cause further casualties and infrastructure damage in Ukraine, and cause Kyiv to shift tactics in the war going forward in order to combat both Russian and North Korean forces.
What To Know
South Korea’s JCS has said that no particular signs of provocation have been detected in North Korea and said that Pyongyang is focused on expanding its military cooperation with Russia. Deploying additional troops to receive training by Russian forces and combat experience on the frontlines would achieve this goal, as North Korean troops have not been exposed to combat since 1953, following the end of the Korean War.
South Korea’s military did not rule out the possibility that North Korea could stage a surprise provocation around the time of a major political event and stated that they predict they will continue launching trash balloons at the South and conducting GPS jamming attacks.
The JCS has also said that North Korea is not only planning to deploy additional troops but also may send suicide drones to Russia to aid Vladimir Putin‘s war with Ukraine. Kim Jong Un was reportedly observing testing of various suicide drones last month and calling for full-scale production of them.
Kim reportedly noted how crucial kamikaze drones have become to modern warfare and that they are inexpensive and easy to produce. Ukraine has alleged that Russia has made use of North Korean weapons, as Kyiv’s military intelligence has said that Moscow launched at least 60 Pyongyang ballistic missiles this month.
North Korean troops’ presence in Kursk was initially confirmed in October by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.
The casualties for North Korean troops have become more apparent in recent weeks, as the Pentagon also estimated the DPRK’s losses in the war to be “several hundred.”
What People Are Saying
The JCS said: “A comprehensive assessment of multiple intelligence shows that North Korea is preparing to rotate or increase the deployment of troops (in Russia), while currently supplying 240 millimeter rocket launchers and 170 mm self-propelled artillery.”
“There are also some signs of (the North) moving to manufacture and supply suicide drones, first unveiled during Kim Jong-un’s on-site inspection in November.”
The JCS added: “As the North has to concentrate on supporting Russia next year, it is likely to feel burdened by (the possibility of) causing military tension or conflicts that could lead to the creation of a new war front. But the need for cooperation on information sharing with the U.S. as well as establishing a firm readiness posture are vital as there is also the possibility of the North attempting various provocations, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile launch or a nuclear test to enhance its bargaining power against the U.S.”
Jürgen Nauditt, a pro-Ukraine X user, wrote: “North Korea is likely planning to send additional troops to Russia and supply military equipment, including kamikaze drones, according to South Korean intelligence. Pyongyang is currently supplying 240mm salvo launchers and 170mm artillery for the war against Ukraine. Europe? Are you still asleep?”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether North Korea will deploy more troops and ship more weapons to Russia, and how this will shift the outcome of the war.
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