Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he confirmed through his country’s intelligence services that North Korea is not only supplying weapons but also manpower to Russia, marking the involvement of a second nation in the war against Ukraine.
According to AFP and Reuters, President Zelensky addressed parliament on October 16, stating, “North Korea is now part of Putin’s criminal alliance,” indicating that North Korea is effectively participating in the war on Russia’s side.
“These are workers and military personnel replacing Russian soldiers killed in the war,” Zelensky noted, adding, “This essentially means a second country is now involved in the war against Ukraine.”
Zelensky also labeled China and Iran, alongside North Korea, as members of the “criminal alliance,” criticizing their support for Russia.
Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that six North Korean soldiers were among the 20 Russians killed by Ukrainian missile strikes on the Donetsk front on October 3.
Following that, reports surfaced, citing Ukrainian military and intelligence sources, claiming that Russia is forming a 3,000-strong “Buryat Special Battalion” with North Korean troops and that North Korea had already sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia.
Since October 13, Zelensky has been asserting that North Korean troops have been deployed to the battlefield.
Russia has dismissed these claims of North Korean troop deployment as “fake news.”
On October 16, South Korean intelligence agency said it is closely tracking reports that North Korea sent troops to assist Russia, considering the possibility that these reports might be accurate.
The agency stated that they are collaborating with Ukrainian sources to verify the reports of North Korean troop deployment.
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense also noted, “There is a possibility that military or civilian personnel have been deployed, and we are closely monitoring the situation.”
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed concern over reports that North Korea has sent soldiers to support Russia in Ukraine.
“We do not have reports confirming this, but it is highly worrying,” he said on October 16. “Even if it is not true, North Korea is already supporting the war effort through its partnership with Russia, China, and Iran. We strongly condemn the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.”
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
