North Korea Deploys 12,000 Soldiers to Russia for Fight Against Ukraine  

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced on Friday that North Korea has initiated the deployment of large-scale troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

This decision, marking a significant escalation in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, involves the mobilization of four brigades, totaling approximately 12,000 soldiers, including special forces, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reports.

According to an NIS source, the mobilization process has "already begun," signaling the first instance of Pyongyang sending such a substantial number of ground forces to the conflict. This deployment follows recent reports highlighting increasing military collaboration and suspected arms trading between the two nations, which has raised concerns among the international community.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked that North Korea is preparing to send around 10,000 soldiers to Russia, labeling the situation as "a big problem." Zelenskyy further suggested that Russia's reliance on North Korean forces is a response to significant troop losses, as many young Russians actively seek to avoid conscription amid ongoing hostilities.

Deepening Russia-North Korea Ties

Russia and North Korea signed a defense pact on June 19, pledging mutual military support if either country is attacked. Following this, North Korea began delivering 130-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells OF-482M to Russia, designed for long-range M-46 cannons, which have a range of 27,490 meters.

This development occurred during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to North Korea, his first in nearly 25 years. The pact reflects a deepening of military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amid U.S. concerns over a potential arms arrangement where North Korea supplies munitions to Russia for the Ukraine conflict in exchange for economic aid and technology to enhance its nuclear capabilities. Kim called the relationship a "fiery friendship" and the agreement the "strongest-ever treaty," while Putin termed it a "breakthrough document."

Historically, North Korea and the former Soviet Union signed a treaty in 1961 obligating Moscow to intervene militarily if North Korea was attacked, later replaced by a weaker agreement in 2000. The new treaty emphasizes compliance with both countries' laws and Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defense. Since their September 2023 meeting, North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with nearly two million rounds of artillery ammunition, rockets, and allegedly ballistic missiles.