In an exclusive interview, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed on October 23 in Rome that North Korea has dispatched troops to Russia to participate in the Ukraine war, marking a significant shift in Russia’s military operations. Austin characterized the deployment of North Korean forces as a “very serious” escalation that could have repercussions across Europe and Asia. He added that NATO has gathered evidence confirming North Korea’s troop movements into Russia.
When asked about the current activities of the North Korean military, Austin replied that “it remains to be seen,” without specifying the number of troops already sent or scheduled to be sent to Russia. U.S. officials estimate that around 3,000 troops might be involved.
American intelligence officials mentioned plans to release a substantial amount of evidence, including satellite imagery, indicating North Korean naval vessels heading towards Russia’s eastern port of Vladivostok and further north. However, they confirmed that North Korean troops have yet to arrive in Ukraine.
Experts on Russian-North Korean relations view this military assistance as a critical turning point. U.S. officials estimate that over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the Ukraine conflict, prompting President Vladimir Putin to seek foreign mercenaries to alleviate domestic discontent over these enormous losses.
NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah stated on the same day, “Allies have confirmed evidence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea deploying troops to Russia. If these units are set to fight in Ukraine, it would represent a significant escalation of North Korea’s support for Russia’s illicit war and further signify Russia’s heavy losses on the front lines.”
Last week, the South Korean National Intelligence Service reported that since August 2023, North Korea has sent 13,000 containers of artillery shells, missiles, and other conventional weapons to Russia, replenishing its dwindling stockpiles.
For North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, participating in the Ukraine conflict offers a way out of geopolitical isolation. For the first time in decades, North Korea holds cards that powerful nations desire. Analysts suggest that one aspect of Kim’s long-term strategy may involve enhancing the range of intercontinental ballistic missiles. U.S. intelligence believes that North Korea is eager to demonstrate that its nuclear arsenal can strike American cities.
Victor Cha, a former member of the Bush administration’s National Security Council and now a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented, “If North Korean troops die fighting for Putin, Kim can expect that when he makes demands, Putin will be inclined to meet them.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a press conference on October 21 that North Korea sending troops illustrates Putin’s attempt to avoid mobilizing conscription and provoking public discontent. He noted, “As the sentiment against conscription grows, North Korea’s involvement reflects that the war is affecting Russian society.”
