Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously accused North Korea of sending soldiers to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Now, Kyrylo Budanov, the director of the Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, has disclosed that the first batch of troops dispatched by North Korea is expected to arrive in the Russian-held Kursk Oblast of Ukraine on October 23.
Budanov stated in an interview with “The Drive” on October 22, “We are awaiting the first batch of troops from North Korea to arrive in Kursk Oblast tomorrow.”
He added, “It is currently unclear how many personnel they have or how they are equipped, but we will see in a few days.”
Meanwhile, the South Korean government has indicated that it will gradually increase its support to Ukraine based on the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, not ruling out the possibility of providing “offensive weapons.”
According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting was convened by South Korea on October 22 under the leadership of National Security Office Director Shen Yuanxi, to discuss the response plan to North Korean troops aiding Russia.
Following the meeting, the head of the National Security Office, Kim Tae-hyung, explained the country’s stance in a press conference. He emphasized that the South Korean government urges North Korea to immediately withdraw its troops. Should the military collusion between North Korea and Russia persist, South Korea will not stand idly by and will cooperate decisively with the international community.
In response to the severe threat posed by the North Korea-Russia military cooperation to national security, the South Korean government will comprehensively consider various possibilities and be prepared to take appropriate measures.
Participants of the meeting strongly condemned North Korea for providing extensive weapons to Russia in the past and now sending troops to join the conflict, posing a serious threat to the safety of South Korea and the international community, which violates the United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting any military cooperation with North Korea.
The attendees criticized North Korea for prioritizing military power over the well-being of its people and human rights, persisting in enhancing its nuclear and missile capabilities, and sending young soldiers to the battlefield of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, resembling the actions of a criminal syndicate.
According to Yonhap News Agency citing government sources, South Korea may deploy military personnel to Ukraine to monitor the tactical and combat capabilities of the North Korean special forces sent to support Russia in the region.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service stated last week that North Korea had decided to dispatch 12,000 troops to assist Russia in the war against Ukraine, including approximately 1,500 soldiers from special forces.
Furthermore, on October 23, Yonhap News Agency reported that the South Korean Defense Intelligence Headquarters assessed that North Korea has stocked up on supplies that could last for up to three months of combat readiness, with military factories producing weapons intended for Russia operating at full capacity.
It is believed that over 20,000 containers shipped from the North Korean port of Rason to Russia are now in transit. South Korean military estimates indicate that if these containers were filled with 152mm caliber shells, the total number of shells provided by North Korea to Russia could exceed 9.4 million.
According to Radio Free Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to the parliament on October 21 to approve elevating the relationship between Russia and North Korea to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as agreed upon during his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June of this year.