North Korea is preparing to send soldiers to the front lines of Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers citing their country’s intelligence officials.
Around 10,000 North Korean troops are undergoing military training in eastern Russia, a number that has increased from the White House’s previous estimate of 3,000, according to the Pentagon.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has revealed concerns about the potential deployment of North Korean personnel, including high-ranking military officials, to active combat zones in Ukraine.
Initially, Russian forces trained these North Korean soldiers in approximately 100 basic military words, including commands like "fire" and "in position." However, intelligence reports suggest these troops struggle to communicate, raising doubts about their ability to effectively bridge the language barrier on the battlefield.
North Korea has tightened security measures, aiming to protect its leader Kim Jong Un and suppress news of the deployment to Russia within its isolated populace. Phone use for officers involved in the effort has been restricted, and families of soldiers have been told their loved ones are participating in a routine military exercise.
Despite these measures, whispers of the deployment have spread within North Korea, leading to unrest. Reports indicate that some civilians and soldiers fear being sent to Russia and question the rationale behind being sacrificed for another nation’s war.
Recently intercepted Russian transmissions, released by Ukraine, reveal Russian soldiers expressing disdain for their soon-to-arrive North Korean counterparts, referring to the group as the "K Battalion" and disparagingly labeling them as "the f**king Chinese."
These interceptions also unveiled plans to assign one interpreter and three senior officers for every 30 North Korean soldiers, a decision the Russian troops ridiculed on these transmission channels for lack of feasibility.
This potential deployment marks the first time North Korea might significantly intervene in an international conflict. While North Korea boasts one of the world’s largest military forces with 1.2 million active personnel, a vast majority lack combat experience.
While Russia initially denied claims of North Korean troop deployments, President Vladimir Putin did not refute their presence during the BRICS summit in Russia last week.
Although North Korea previously dismissed these reports, it asserted on Friday that any troop deployment to aid Russia’s war effort would be abide by international law, without explicitly confirming their presence.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is currently in Russia for her second visit in six weeks, her previous visit being in August. Her agenda is believed to revolve around discussions on potential dispatching of more North Korean troops and expected remuneration in return.
The news coincides with South Korea’s foreign and defense ministers heading to Washington to engage in discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during their annual ministerial meeting.