“We are discussing with North Korea how to apply the North Korea-Russia treaty”… Possibility of dispatching troops to the Korean Peninsula in case of emergency
Regarding North Korea’s troop dispatch to Russia, “It’s up to us”… North Korea also effectively admits that it “complies with international norms”
Ukraine: “North Korea expected to enter combat on the 27th and 28th”
<img src="https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/10/26/130297433.7.jpg" alt="Russian President Vladimir Putin is answering questions from reporters at a press conference at the 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, on the 24th (local time). As President Putin indirectly admitted today that the rumor about North Korea sending troops to the Ukraine war is true, concerns are growing that North Korea and Russia will expand military cooperation. Kazan = Getty Images”/>
On the 25th (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the ‘Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (North Korea-Russia Treaty)’, which stipulates mutual military support between North Korea and Russia, and said, “It is time for Russia and North Korea to decide something.” “I will decide when I come,” he said. At the press conference concluding the BRICS summit the day before, North Korea effectively admitted sending troops to Russia and said, “We will take care of it,” and once again hinted that Russia may also send troops to the Korean Peninsula in case of emergency.
According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, in an interview with state broadcaster Rossiya 1 on the 25th, President Putin said about the North Korea-Russia treaty, “If Russia and North Korea have to decide something (regarding mutual military support), we will definitely decide,” and “North Korean friends. “We also have the same position here,” he said.
On the 24th and 25th, President Putin specifically mentioned Article 4 of the North Korea-Russia Treaty: ‘In case of emergency, if one side is attacked and ends up in war, the other side will provide military and other assistance without delay.’ He said, “There are still questions about how to apply this,” and added, “We are discussing this issue with North Korea.”
According to Reuters, President Putin also held a press conference in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia on the 24th when asked by an American reporter his opinion on the satellite photos supporting the North Korean military’s deployment to Russia, saying, “Satellite photos are serious, and if the photos exist, it means something. “There is no doubt that it reflects this,” he said, emphasizing the North Korea-Russia treaty. His remarks contrast with the previous day, when Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denied North Korea’s troop deployment as “false and exaggerated information.”
Kim Jong-gyu, North Korea’s vice-minister for Russian affairs at the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, virtually admitted to the deployment of troops through the state-run Korean Central News Agency on the same day, saying, “I do not feel the need to confirm it separately,” but added, “If such a thing were to happen, it would be an action that complies with international legal norms.”
The United States also called North Korea a “co-belligerent” and reaffirmed its decision to send troops to the Ukraine war. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is on a tour of Europe, said at a press conference held in Rome, Italy on the 24th, “There is evidence that North Korean (DPRK) troops are in Russia,” and added, “If North Korea intends to participate in the war on behalf of Russia as a joint belligerent, it is a very serious problem.” “He said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram on the 25th, “North Korean troops dispatched to Russia are expected to be deployed to the combat zone on the 27th and 28th.”
Paris = Correspondent Jo Eun-ah achim@donga.com
Reporter Hong Jeong-su hong@donga.com
Washington = Correspondent Moon Byeong-ki weappon@donga.com