By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported on Wednesday that North Korea is preparing to send 10,000 soldiers to Russia by December to support its war against Ukraine. The revelation, shared during a closed-door briefing with South Korean lawmakers, adds new complexity to the evolving alliance between North Korea and Russia amid the ongoing conflict.

3,000 North Korean Troops Already in Transit

Democratic Party Representative Park Sun-won, who attended the briefing, said the NIS revealed that 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already been transported to Russia. However, it appears these troops have not yet entered the battlefield, raising questions about their eventual role in the war. This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that North Korea had already dispatched a total of 12,000 soldiers in two brigades to bolster Russian forces on the frontlines.

The chief of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, added that the first North Korean troops are expected to arrive in the western Russian region of Kursk soon, where they will help defend Russian positions against Ukrainian advances.

International Concern Mounts

The prospect of North Korean military involvement has drawn strong reactions from the international community. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed evidence of North Korean soldiers in Russia but said their exact role remains unclear. He described their presence as a “highly concerning development.”

Speaking at a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel called the deployment of North Korean soldiers “another reckless and dangerous action” by Moscow and Pyongyang. While the U.S. government has not officially confirmed South Korea’s intelligence reports, it is consulting with global allies on the implications of North Korean troops being involved in the war.

South Korea’s National Security Response

Seoul’s National Security Council issued a stern response, calling North Korea’s decision a “significant threat” to both regional and international security. The council also stated that the deployment violates United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that prohibit military cooperation with North Korea.

Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo warned that South Korea could adopt “phased measures” in response if North Korea continues its military cooperation with Russia. One potential response under consideration is sending South Korean military personnel to Ukraine to monitor North Korean tactics and assess the combat capabilities of the North Korean special forces operating in support of Russia.

Potential for Increased Military Aid to Ukraine

Seoul is also reportedly weighing the possibility of providing Ukraine with weapons, a significant shift in South Korea’s position. South Korea has so far refrained from sending lethal military aid to Ukraine, opting instead to provide non-lethal support. However, with growing concerns about North Korean involvement in the war, Kim indicated that Seoul could reconsider its stance, depending on how North Korean-Russian military cooperation evolves.

Broader Implications for Global Security

The deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia adds a new dimension to the geopolitical landscape of the war in Ukraine. North Korea’s deepening military ties with Russia may complicate diplomatic efforts to isolate Moscow and limit Pyongyang’s international standing. Furthermore, the involvement of North Korean forces could heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula, where South Korea has remained vigilant amid the North’s provocative actions.

As the situation develops, Seoul and its allies will closely monitor the impact of this new alliance on global security and respond accordingly. The coming weeks will reveal whether North Korean troops will play a decisive role in Russia’s war effort, or whether international pressure can curb further military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.