Tensions are reportedly brewing between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. According to a Kremlin insider cited on Telegram, Kim is "disappointed" with the high casualties among his forces and has no plans to increase his support for Moscow's military campaign.
Despite pledges of "eternal friendship" and unwavering support, the insider claimed that Kim Jong-un is dissatisfied with the way his soldiers are being used on the front lines. The source noted that North Korea has provided a significant number of troops to aid Russia but that these forces have suffered heavy losses.
"The leader of North Korea is also dissatisfied with how the North Korean military is used at the front and the large number of casualties among them," the insider stated.
Business Times could not independently verify this claim.
Reports from U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean officials estimate that North Korea has already sent around 12,000 soldiers to assist Russia, with projections suggesting that figure could reach as high as 15,000 by year's end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using the North Korean forces as expendable "cannon fodder" in the conflict.
There is evidence that about 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed so far, Zelensky said in a recent address, emphasizing concerns over the high attrition rate among these forces.
Dmytro Ponomarenko, Ukraine's ambassador to South Korea, warned that the number of North Korean troops sent to Russia could rotate every few months, potentially totaling 100,000 within a year. This level of deployment underscores North Korea's deepening involvement in the war and its growing military alliance with Moscow.
North Korea has also provided significant amounts of artillery, ammunition, and rocket systems to Russia. South Korea's intelligence agencies have tracked more than 10,000 containers of military supplies delivered by Pyongyang, bolstering Moscow's campaign in the face of global sanctions.
While Kim has voiced support for Russia, framing the conflict as a fight against "imperialist hegemony," the alleged discontent suggests cracks in their partnership. State media reported Kim's recent remarks blaming the United States for escalating the conflict, citing the provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine.
Kim's frustrations, however, highlight the cost of his alliance with Putin. Experts argue that North Korea's support for Russia may strain its already limited resources while further isolating the country on the global stage.
