DistantNews
Support us
Seoul monitors North Korea-Russia troop deal claims
🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Seoul monitors North Korea-Russia troop deal claims

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Ukraine's President Zelenskyy claims Russia is seeking an additional 30,000 North Korean troops, with preparations underway to house them in Voronezh.
  • South Korea's Foreign Ministry stated it is closely monitoring North Korea-Russia military cooperation and urged its immediate cessation.
  • The report follows a recent comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between North Korea and Russia, which has expanded military ties.

South Korea is closely monitoring developments regarding potential military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including claims that Moscow is seeking an additional 30,000 North Korean troops. The Foreign Ministry stated it cannot confirm specific intelligence details but reiterated its stance that any military cooperation violating UN Security Council resolutions must cease immediately.

Our government is closely monitoring trends related to North Korea-Russia military cooperation.

— South Korean Foreign MinistryResponding to reports of Russia seeking additional North Korean troops.

These claims were initially made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who alleged that Russia desires more North Korean soldiers and is preparing to accommodate them in the Voronezh region. Zelenskyy also suggested North Korea is attempting to deploy ballistic missile launch sites to Russia, posing a threat not only to Ukraine but also to Asian nations within North Korea's missile range. He further asserted that Russia is aiding North Korea's military development, allowing it to gain combat experience and refine its weaponry.

North Korea-Russia military cooperation that violates UN Security Council resolutions must be immediately halted.

— South Korean Foreign MinistryStating the government's firm position on the matter.

North Korea and Russia significantly expanded their military cooperation following a summit in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024, which resulted in a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty. North Korea began deploying troops to Russia in October of the same year. Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) estimates that North Korea has sent approximately 20,000 combat and engineering troops to Russia's Kursk region in multiple deployments. Earlier this year, HUR analyzed that around 14,000 North Korean soldiers were stationed in Russia, with over 9,500 actively engaged in combat, and estimated approximately 7,000 casualties among them. South Korea's National Intelligence Service previously reported that North Korea had sent about 15,000 troops to Russia last year.

Russia wants to receive an additional 30,000 troops from North Korea, and discussions are underway.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyAlleging Russia's request for more North Korean soldiers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog