Ukrainian military intelligence recently disclosed intercepted communications between Russian-backed Korean soldiers. Meanwhile, US media reports claim that Russia has assembled 50,000 troops in the Kursk region, including Korean forces, to attack Ukrainian positions.
According to Radio Free Asia, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Intelligence Directorate released the captured radio communication audio on YouTube on November 10.
From the audio, Korean soldiers can be heard exchanging passwords in Korean-accented Korean, one of which is “Seal one, Seal two.”
In another recording, a soldier says, “Wait,” apparently issuing commands to subordinates.
The agency stated that they intercepted this communication on November 9. The content pertained to an order for them to return immediately.
Ukraine and the US estimate that Korea has deployed 11,000 soldiers to Russia, believed to be stationed in the Kursk region. Ukrainian forces have occupied parts of Kursk since August, with Russia attempting to regain control of these areas.
The New York Times reported on November 10, citing US and Ukrainian officials, that Russia has amassed 50,000 troops, including Korean soldiers, preparing to launch an offensive to retake Kursk.
Similarly, CNN cited an anonymous US official, stating that Russia has assembled “tens of thousands” of troops and Korean soldiers ready to participate in the impending attack.
Previously, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Intelligence Directorate released intercepted internal Russian military communications on October 25. It revealed concerns among Russian soldiers about commanding Korean troops and providing ammunition and military equipment.
In audio captured on October 23, Russian soldiers disdainfully discuss the upcoming arrival of Korean soldiers under the codename “Camp K,” at one point cursing them as “damn Chinese.”
According to a report by Kyodo News, Kim Yong Bok, a confidant of Kim Jong-un and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, appeared in Russia on October 24, expected to serve as the overall commander of the Russian-backed Korean soldiers.
Kyodo News, citing Ukrainian military sources on October 26, stated that Korean forces deployed to Russia have been arriving on the battlefield. In a list of Korean deployment units compiled by the Russian military obtained by Ukrainian authorities, Kim Yong Bok was positioned at the top.