United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been urging China to pressure North Korea to withdraw troops from the front line in Ukraine. Sullivan directed the US government to engage with China and other countries to address concerns about North Korean forces in Ukraine. Estimates vary on the number of North Korean troops in Russia, with some sources suggesting up to 3,000 troops training in Russia. South Korean intelligence reports indicate that the number could reach 10,000 by December. Despite efforts to pressure China, some officials are skeptical about China’s willingness to help pull back North Korean troops.
China has been seen as a critical enabler of Russia’s war in Ukraine, with its support for Russia’s defense industry playing a significant role in the conflict. Russia has reportedly established a development and production program in China for attack drones to be used in Ukraine. Despite warnings from the US and South Korea, China denied the presence of any North Korean troops inside Russia preparing to join the war in Ukraine. North Korea and Russia have strengthened ties since the conflict began, including signing a new mutual defense pact. Accusations of North Korea providing weapons to Russia have been denied by both Pyongyang and Moscow.
A small number of North Korean troops are already on the territory of Ukraine, with reports suggesting they are in action. NATO and the Pentagon confirmed that North Korean troops were training in Russia and some were on their way to regions controlled by Ukrainian forces. The US has communicated with China about the presence of North Korean troops alongside the Ukraine-Russia front line, expressing concerns about the destabilizing actions of Russia and North Korea. Despite efforts to engage with China, Western officials are doubtful about China’s willingness to help pull back North Korean troops. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that the first North Korean troops were to be deployed in the combat zone.
The US State Department has been in contact with China regarding the North Korean troop presence in Ukraine, but details of the conversations have not been provided. Estimates on the number of North Korean troops in Russia vary, with sources indicating different figures. South Korean intelligence reports suggest the number could reach 10,000 by December, while Kyiv has stated that nearly 12,000 troops, including officers and generals, have been sent by Pyongyang to Russia. Despite concerns about the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine and efforts to engage with China, some Western officials remain skeptical about China’s support for pulling back North Korean forces. The situation remains complex and uncertain, with ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the issue.
