North Korea’s decision to send thousands of soldiers to fight in Ukraine solidifies its military alliance with Russia and deepens Moscow’s involvement in Korean peninsula security. The deployment of approximately 1,500 North Korean special forces soldiers, who are already in Russia acclimatizing, with more troops set to depart soon, demonstrates the seriousness of the military deal signed by Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in June, which included a mutual defense clause. This agreement establishes a framework where Russia would automatically intervene or provide military support in the event of an attack or crisis faced by North Korea. The fact that North Korean soldiers will be fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine illustrates the strength of the Putin-Kim deal and could potentially assist Moscow in maintaining occupied territories or making further territorial gains.
The conflict between North and South Korea dates back to the 1950s, with the two sides still technically at war due to the lack of a formal peace deal. While Kim has built up a nuclear arsenal, Seoul lacks nuclear weapons of its own and relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for protection. The routine joint military exercises conducted by Seoul and Washington, which anger Pyongyang, further complicate the security dynamics in the region. By sending troops to Russia, Kim may be aiming to create a more integrated North Korean and Russian military deterrent, similar to the U.S.-South Korea alliance. This move could potentially lead to a significant shift in the security dynamics in the Korean peninsula.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine was captured in a video released by Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communication, showing the soldiers in a Russian military camp preparing to join the conflict. This deployment provides North Korean elite soldiers with the opportunity to experience modern warfare and test their weaponry on the battlefield. It could also serve as a way for Kim to enhance his international stature and negotiating position, especially ahead of the U.S. elections. The move could attract global attention and potentially prolong or shift the conflict in Russia’s favor.
The benefits of the North Korean deployment for Russia are clear, as it helps alleviate shortages in both military and labor manpower. North Korea has the potential to provide Russia with the necessary support in these areas. The deployment also comes at a time when relations between North and South Korea are strained, with Kim emphasizing the abandonment of the idea of reunification. Experts suggest that by sending soldiers to Ukraine, North Korea is positioning itself within the Russian war economy as a supplier of weapons, military support, and labor, potentially bypassing China as its main ally and trading partner. This move could further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and hinder efforts to improve relations with other countries.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine also signifies a potential shift in Pyongyang’s foreign policy, as it aligns itself with Russia and becomes involved in the war economy as a supplier of weapons, military support, and labor. This move could indicate a reduced motivation to seek improvements in relations with other countries like Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., leading to a constant state of tension on the Korean Peninsula. As the situation escalates, it becomes increasingly clear that North Korea’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine is not only about military support but also about realigning its foreign policy and positioning itself strategically within the region.
