In June, Russia and North Korea signed a defense agreement that required both countries to provide military assistance if the other is attacked. For analysts, the introduction of North Korean troops in Russia would be a sign that the war in Ukraine is not going as Russia planned. It is believed that Ukraine is wearing down the Russian army and there is a link to security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. and South Korean officials reported that North Korea has sent troops to Russia in a possible escalation of the war with Ukraine. If North Korean soldiers join to fight on Russia's side, it would be the first time a third country participates in the war. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned that it would be a "very, very serious problem" if Pyongyang joined the war alongside Russia.
For its part, Ukraine is preparing for a possible confrontation with North Korea on its territory. The introduction of 10,000 North Korean soldiers could significantly destabilize Ukraine's defense and accelerate the advance of Russian forces, according to Ukrainian analysts. The Ukrainian project "I Want to Live" has published a video in Korean urging North Korean soldiers to surrender.
At the international level, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the European Union, the United States, and other countries have been cautious in their public statements regarding the presence of North Korean troops. German and British officials have expressed concern, while South Korea has hinted at its support for Ukraine with military weapons if North Korea's participation is confirmed.
North Korean troops heading to Russia are arriving in the Kursk region to help defend the border against a supposed Ukrainian incursion. North Korea has already sent a large quantity of conventional weapons to Russia in recent years. The director of South Korean intelligence has warned that the participation of a third country could escalate the conflict to a global scale.
