Ukraine and South Korea are ramping up cooperation in response to North Korea's increasing involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that he had reached an agreement with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinate strategies to address the growing deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russia.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky confirmed that the two leaders discussed measures to bolster communication and collaboration at all levels. "Ukraine and the Republic of Korea will soon exchange delegations to coordinate actions," Zelensky said. He further revealed that Ukraine's intelligence indicated approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers had already been deployed to Russian training grounds near the combat zone, with their numbers expected to rise to around 12,000.
The agreement between Kyiv and Seoul comes at a time of heightened concern over North Korea's role in the conflict. South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has been monitoring developments closely, and lawmakers in Seoul recently confirmed that North Korean soldiers were being trained in eastern Russia. According to Pentagon estimates, around 10,000 North Korean troops are currently receiving training, a significant increase from previous assessments by U.S. officials.
South Korean lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun and Park Sun-won, who were briefed by the NIS, indicated that North Korean personnel, including high-ranking military officials, may soon be moved to the front lines in Ukraine. The soldiers are reportedly learning basic Russian commands to facilitate their integration with Russian forces, though communication issues persist. "It's clear that North Korean soldiers are struggling to communicate," the lawmakers said, raising concerns about their operational effectiveness in the field.
North Korea has attempted to keep details of the deployments under wraps. According to South Korean intelligence, North Korean soldiers involved in the Russian conflict are prohibited from using phones, and their families have been told that they are participating in routine military exercises. Despite these measures, word has spread within North Korea, leading to unrest among soldiers and civilians alike. Some have expressed fear of being sent to fight in Russia, while others have questioned why North Koreans are being sent to aid a foreign conflict.
The involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine war represents a significant shift in Pyongyang's international stance. This is the first time that North Korea has intervened militarily in an international conflict of this scale, and the decision has sparked condemnation from Western and South Korean officials. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has maintained tight control over information related to the deployments, and his regime has dismissed reports of troop involvement as "groundless." However, at a recent BRICS summit in Russia, President Vladimir Putin did not deny the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia.
Recent intelligence gathered by Ukraine has shed further light on North Korea's contribution to Russia's war effort. Ukrainian forces intercepted Russian communications in which Russian soldiers referred disdainfully to the North Korean troops as the "K Battalion" and used derogatory language. These intercepts also revealed logistical challenges, including the need for one interpreter and three senior officers to oversee every 30 North Korean soldiers.
North Korea's entry into the conflict is a troubling development for Ukraine. While North Korea has one of the largest standing armies in the world, with 1.2 million soldiers, many of its troops lack combat experience. The deployment of these forces, combined with North Korea's earlier supply of munitions and missiles to Russia, signals a deepening alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow. This new front in the conflict has prompted Kyiv and its allies to reassess their strategies.
Zelensky, during a separate statement on Tuesday, reiterated the seriousness of the situation, warning that the influx of North Korean troops could escalate tensions further. He disclosed that North Korean soldiers had been stationed at Russian training grounds in the border region of Kursk, near active combat zones. Ukraine's GUR military intelligence service also confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in the area, with their numbers expected to increase in the coming weeks.
Pentagon officials have echoed these concerns, with deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh confirming that some North Korean soldiers have already moved closer to the front lines. "We are increasingly concerned that they will be deployed against Ukraine in Kursk," Singh said during a recent briefing.
As the war in Ukraine drags on, both Kyiv and Moscow are facing challenges in replenishing their forces. North Korea's support could provide Russia with a critical infusion of manpower, potentially relieving pressure on the Kremlin to mobilize more personnel domestically. However, it remains unclear how many North Korean troops Pyongyang is willing to send and whether their involvement will significantly impact the war's outcome.
