North Korea bolsters Russia's war efforts with troops and arms
North Korea has dispatched at least 3,000 additional soldiers to Russia to support the invasion of Ukraine. This information was confirmed by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
What you need to know?
- North Korea sent at least 3,000 additional soldiers to Russia at the beginning of the year to aid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Pyongyang is also supplying military equipment, including missiles, ammunition, and artillery, as confirmed by South Korean intelligence services.
- Kim Jong Un expressed support for Russia during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, emphasising the commitment to maintain the mutual defence treaty.
The impact of North Korea sending soldiers
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that North Korea sent at least 3,000 additional soldiers to Russia at the start of the year. Pyongyang is not only sending troops but also increasing shipments of military equipment, including missiles and artillery.
In the latest JCS report, it was noted that out of approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia, 4,000 were injured or killed. "North Korea appears to have sent 3,000 more soldiers to Russia as part of its continued support for Moscow’s war against Ukraine," stated the report.
Is North Korea increasing its involvement in the conflict?
By the end of February, South Korean intelligence services confirmed that Pyongyang sent "over a thousand" military personnel to Russia between January and February. Ju Hong Won, a member of South Korea's People Power Party, revealed that 3,500 additional North Korean soldiers are undergoing training at five military centres in Russia's Far East.
Regarding North Korea's policy towards the US, the JCS assessed that the regime in Pyongyang is focused on increasing its bargaining power by flaunting its nuclear capabilities and condemning joint South Korea-US military exercises. The South Korean military's report appeared after a meeting between Kim Jong Un and Sergei Shoigu, where the commitment to maintain the mutual defence treaty was confirmed.
