Seoul, Nov 5 (EFE).- The South Korean Ministry of Defense reported this Tuesday that some 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Russia, and that a “considerable” number of them have already been sent to front-line areas.
“More than 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, and we understand that a considerable number of them have moved to front-line areas, including Kursk,” South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Jeon Ha-kyou said today in statements reported. by the local Yonhap agency.
Jeon said he did not have any new information about North Korean troop activity, but noted that South Korean military and intelligence authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine.
Seoul’s reaction comes after the US State Department said Monday that some 10,000 North Korean soldiers are already in the Kursk region and could enter combat “in the coming days.”
Ukraine has detected all the sites where Russia is concentrating North Korean soldiers and could carry out pre-emptive strikes against them if it had permission from its Western allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday night, before calling on his allies to act instead of “waiting” for North Korean soldiers to start attacking Ukraine.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also called for “exhaustive” measures on Monday to respond to “illegal” military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, after the North sent troops to support its invasion of Ukraine.
“The recent international security situation and illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia pose a serious threat to our national security,” the South Korean leader said during a parliamentary speech discussing budget issues.
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**Interview with Dr. Min-Joon Lee, North Korea Expert and Professor of International Relations**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lee. The recent reports suggest that North Korea has deployed around 10,000 soldiers to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. What does this mean for the geopolitical landscape in the region?
**Dr. Lee:** Thank you for having me. The deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia represents a significant shift in the dynamics of the Ukraine War and could indicate a deepening of military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. It highlights North Korea’s willingness to support Russia amid international sanctions and its growing isolation, which comes as a response to the West’s support for Ukraine.
**Interviewer:** President Putin seems to have acknowledged the deployment despite North Korea’s denials. How do you interpret this acknowledgment in the context of diplomatic relations between Russia and North Korea?
**Dr. Lee:** Putin’s acknowledgment could serve multiple purposes; it may be an attempt to solidify cooperation with North Korea, utilizing its military manpower to bolster Russian positions in Ukraine. At the same time, it serves as a message to the West that Russia has allies willing to stand by it, which may lend some legitimacy to both countries on the international stage.
**Interviewer:** Given the historical context, how significant is North Korea’s potential involvement in the Ukraine conflict for East Asian security dynamics?
**Dr. Lee:** North Korea’s involvement could exacerbate tensions in East Asia. If North Korean troops were indeed deployed to Ukraine, their presence could embolden North Korea’s aggressive posture, particularly toward South Korea and Japan. Additionally, it could lead to a stronger military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, prompting reactions from the United States and its allies in the region.
**Interviewer:** What implications might this have for international sanctions on North Korea and Russia?
**Dr. Lee:** This could complicate the enforcement of sanctions against both countries. If they are cooperating militarily, it might lead to a more hardline stance from the international community, potentially increasing sanctions. Conversely, the depth of their collaboration may lead to further informal trade channels to circumvent these sanctions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your insights. It certainly raises many questions about the future of security in the region.
**Dr. Lee:** My pleasure. It’s a complex situation, and we will need to watch how it evolves closely.