South Korea has strongly condemned reports that North Korea has dispatched troops to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, summoning the Russian ambassador in Seoul to demand the immediate withdrawal of the forces. The South Korean government said the deployment, if confirmed, represents a violation of United Nations resolutions and threatens regional security.
On Monday, First Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun expressed Seoul’s anger to Russian envoy Georgy Zinoviev, stating, “We condemn North Korea’s illegal military cooperation, including its dispatch of troops to Russia, in the strongest terms.” He further emphasized that such actions pose a serious security threat to South Korea and other nations, adding, “We will respond jointly with the international community by mobilising all available means against acts that threaten our core security interests.”
The diplomatic move follows revelations by South Korea’s national intelligence agency last week, which reported that North Korea had sent an initial contingent of 1,500 special forces to the Russian Far East for training. The agency indicated that as many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers could be deployed to support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, suggesting they may be intended to compensate for heavy Russian troop losses and recruitment challenges.
Satellite images released by South Korean intelligence appear to show North Korean troops being transported to Russia’s Vladivostok on naval vessels between October 8 and 13. “North Korea transported its special forces to Russia via a Russian Navy transport ship, confirming the start of North Korea’s military participation,” the agency stated.
The White House has not confirmed the presence of North Korean troops on the Ukrainian front lines, but a National Security Council spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the reports. “If true, it would mark a dangerous development in Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the spokesperson said.
Video Evidence Emerges of North Korean Troops Further fueling concerns, Ukrainian officials released a video on Monday that they claim shows North Korean recruits lining up to receive Russian military uniforms. The footage, which was shared by Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security, depicts what appears to be North Korean citizens collecting military gear under the supervision of Russian personnel.
“We received this video from our own sources,” said Ihor Solovey, head of the Centre. He described the footage as significant because it offers the first visual evidence of North Korean personnel participating in the conflict. Solovey stated that the centre could not disclose additional details about the source or location of the video due to security concerns but insisted that it provides clear proof of North Korean involvement.
According to the centre, the video was likely shot by a Russian soldier, though the circumstances under which it was obtained remain unclear.
International Reactions and Regional Implications The alleged deployment of North Korean troops comes on the heels of a broader pattern of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, which South Korean, Ukrainian, and US officials have scrutinized for months. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly discussed increased collaboration during a summit in Pyongyang, though details of their agreement have not been made public. Both nations have denied claims that North Korea is supplying Russia with arms and ammunition.
Those denials have been contradicted by South Korean intelligence reports stating that North Korea has delivered over 13,000 containers filled with artillery shells, missiles, anti-tank rockets, and other military equipment to Russia since August.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a robust response from Kyiv’s allies, urging them to acknowledge the evidence and respond to what he views as an escalation in the conflict. “Satellite and video evidence of North Korean troops proves that another country has effectively entered the war,” Zelenskyy said during his nightly address on Sunday. “We expect a normal, honest, strong reaction from our partners on this.”
He expressed gratitude to global leaders who have addressed the reports, calling on them to recognize the severity of the situation. “North Korean involvement in the war would significantly increase the threat level and instability in the region,” he added.
Ongoing Tensions and Future Developments The reports of North Korean military participation in Ukraine have heightened concerns about deepening alliances between Russia and North Korea, further complicating an already volatile geopolitical landscape. While North Korea has not officially commented on the allegations, South Korean officials insist that the evidence points to a coordinated effort to bolster Russia’s military capabilities in Ukraine.
