Former North Korean Ambassador to the UK and defection to South Korea, Thae Yong-ho, expressed shock at North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia in attacking Ukraine. Thae believes the coming weeks or months are crucial for North Korea’s future and urges North Korean soldiers sent to escape during this rare opportunity.
Thae Yong-ho, who was elected as a member of the South Korean National Assembly in 2020, was appointed by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in July as the Secretary General of the “Democratic and Peaceful Unification Advisory Council,” the highest-ranking position among North Korean defectors in South Korea.
In an interview with Radio Free Asia in Washington, D.C. on October 28, Thae discussed recent issues such as North Korea’s deployment of troops to assist Russia and North Korea’s unification policy.
Asked about his thoughts on North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia, Thae Yong-ho said that he was almost shocked after numerous global intelligence agencies confirmed the matter. He mentioned that based on his education in North Korea, North Korean soldiers were taught to never fight for the interests of other countries.
He indicated that even within North Korea, such deployments are considered top secret. He is waiting to see what new developments the North Korean soldiers participating in the Russia-Ukraine war will bring – whether they will perform well or if North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s support for Russia’s policy will fail. The next few weeks or months could be crucial for North Korea’s future.
The reporter from the radio station noted that even the official North Korean media, Rodong Sinmun, did not mention Kim Jong-un sending troops to Russia. Thae Yong-ho commented that perhaps even the parents of these soldiers do not know that their sons have been dispatched to Russia.
According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, there are signs that North Korean authorities have isolated the families of deployed soldiers to prevent leaks and effectively control the military deployment.
Regarding the purpose of Kim Jong-un’s deployment of troops to support Russia, Thae Yong-ho explained three reasons. Firstly, Kim Jong-un is trying to earn foreign currency through this action as North Korea’s economy has been struggling due to investments in nuclear weapons and missiles, as well as recent floods.
Secondly, Kim Jong-un is eager to acquire new technology from Russia. He has repeatedly stated that North Korea will successfully develop a military satellite by the end of this year, but as it is already November, North Korea has not made any significant progress in satellite launches.
Thirdly, Kim Jong-un hopes to play a role on the world political stage that can change the game. For instance, when successful in nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, he boasts that North Korea could become a strategically important country. But so far, he has not demonstrated to the world that North Korea is such a nation.
Thae Yong-ho mentioned that if the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia has an impact, Kim Jong-un can use it to promote that North Korea can truly change the world situation. He believes that the next few weeks or months are crucial not only for North Korea but also for global security.
The radio station reporter recalled South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook stating that North Korean soldiers are just cannon fodder, a sentiment Thae agreed with. He expressed uncertainty about the potential casualties among North Korean soldiers, but if there are heavy casualties, people will remember that they sacrificed their lives for Kim Jong-un’s interests.
Speaking about South Korea’s national security, Thae Yong-ho mentioned that the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia could have significant effects. Firstly, North Korean soldiers can test their capabilities in launching homemade rockets and using firearms on the battlefield. They will identify weaknesses and strive to improve. Secondly, North Korean forces are gaining real battlefield experience.
As for advice to these North Korean soldiers, Thae Yong-ho stated, “I strongly urge them to escape because this is indeed a rare opportunity for them to defect. I really strongly encourage them to come to South Korea, enjoy the freedom and human rights as human beings. North Korea’s young soldiers do not need to sacrifice their lives for Kim Jong-un.”
This article was originally reported by Epoch Times.