Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced alarm over the deployment of North Korean soldiers in support of Russia's war in Ukraine. In an interview with Kyodo News, Zelensky said Russia was treating the North Korean troops well in an effort to attract more recruits but warned that the favorable treatment would not last. He noted that it was "indisputable" that Russian President Vladimir Putin would eventually send these soldiers to the front lines, using them as "cannon fodder."
Reports from intelligence agencies in the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine estimate that 12,000 North Korean troops have already been deployed to the Russian region of Kursk. Ukrainian officials, including the country's ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, have warned that the total number of North Korean troops in Russia could reach 15,000, with troops rotating every few months, potentially adding up to 100,000 soldiers over the course of a year.
North Korean soldiers have reportedly joined Russian forces in Kursk, where Ukrainian troops mounted a surprise counteroffensive in August, reclaiming significant territory. Zelensky confirmed during the interview with Kyodo News that some of these troops have been killed in the fighting. The "first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world," Zelensky previously stated.
The presence of North Korean forces has raised global concerns about the impact of this new alliance. The Pentagon previously cautioned against North Korea's involvement. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, said in June, "If I were North Korean military personnel management, I would be questioning my choices on sending my forces to be cannon fodder in an illegal war against Ukraine."
Russia has reportedly been paying approximately $2,000 per month for each North Korean soldier, according to South Korean intelligence. However, military analysts believe the soldiers themselves are unlikely to see much of the money, as the North Korean regime is expected to seize the majority, if not all, of these funds.
While questions remain about the effectiveness of North Korean troops on the modern battlefield, their deployment provides a manpower boost to Russia. Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at Ukraine's National Institute for Strategic Studies, commented that even if these troops are not adequately trained for modern combat, they could still make a significant difference on specific fronts. It might be enough to make a difference against Ukraine on a single front if that's how they are used, he said.
South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun stated last month that North Korean platoons are likely to be sent to "the most dangerous and difficult areas." He also described North Korean soldiers as "cannon fodder mercenaries," condemning Kim Jong-Un for selling out his people to fund the regime.
Russia has not officially confirmed the presence of North Korean troops, but the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang has become increasingly evident. North Korea has supplied munitions and missiles to support Russia's war effort, while Moscow has reportedly provided air-defense systems and economic aid to Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un expressed his country's "invariable support" for Russia during a recent visit by Russian defense officials, state media reported.
British intelligence has noted that North Korean and Russian forces are likely to face interoperability challenges due to differences in language, culture, and military training. Despite this, North Korea's involvement could serve as a temporary solution to Russia's manpower shortages.
Zelensky also warned of the long-term implications for Asia, as North Korean troops gain exposure to modern warfare tactics, including the use of drones. He noted that this could pose future risks to regional stability, with soldiers returning to North Korea better trained and equipped.
