A delegation of South Korean government and intelligence officials will be in Brussels tomorrow at NATO headquarters for a briefing on North Korea‘s troop deployment in Russia. This was announced by the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS). The delegation, led by NIS deputy director Hong Jang-won, will brief the North Atlantic Council and also the Political and Security Committee of the European Union. The visit follows an October 21 telephone conversation between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on intensifying information exchange in response to the deployment of North Korean military personnel to Russia.
On October 18, the National Intelligence Service, after an emergency security meeting called by President Yoon, announced that North Korea had decided to send at least 12,000 soldiers to Russia, including special forces men, to support for the Russian offensive in Ukraine. The North Korean military is said to be divided into four brigades and, according to satellite images, the mobilization of troops has already begun. The day before, October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had spoken of intelligence reports indicating North Korean soldiers already deployed in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
On October 23, the United States confirmed the sending of troops from North Korea to Russia. «We estimate that North Korea transferred at least 3,000 soldiers to eastern Russia between early and mid-October. We estimated that these soldiers traveled by ship from the Wonsan area of North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia. These soldiers then continued to several Russian military training sites in eastern Russia, where they are currently undergoing training,” White House spokesman for national security communications John Kirby told a news conference. “We still don’t know if these soldiers will enter combat alongside the Russian Army, but this is a certain probability, certainly very worrying,” he added. According to the latest rumors from the Wall Street Journal, based on Biden administration sources, some of the North Korean soldiers sent are already headed towards the Kursk region, on the border with Ukraine.
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**Interview with Dr. Emily Kim, Defense Analyst on North Korea’s Troop Deployment**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kim. We are witnessing an escalation in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly with North Korea sending troops to assist in the conflict in Ukraine. Can you give us a brief overview of the situation?
**Dr. Kim:** Certainly. The South Korean National Intelligence Service recently reported that North Korea is deploying a significant number of troops—around 12,000 soldiers, including special forces—to support Russia in its military campaign in Ukraine. This mobilization marks a notable shift in North Korea’s foreign military involvement and raises concerns among neighboring countries and NATO.
**Editor:** What prompted this deployment, and how is it being received by South Korea and its allies?
**Dr. Kim:** The decision appears to be a strategic move by North Korea to solidify its alliance with Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. This follows emergency security meetings in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol discussed the implications of North Korea’s actions. The South Korean government is understandably alarmed and aims to enhance intelligence sharing with NATO to monitor the situation closely.
**Editor:** Can you tell us more about the discussions between President Yoon and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte?
**Dr. Kim:** Yes, just a few days ago, they had a conversation focused on intensifying information exchanges concerning North Korea’s military activities. This cooperation is crucial for understanding the changing dynamics in the region, especially as we observe North Korean troops potentially engaged in combat operations in Ukraine.
**Editor:** How might this deployment impact the conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape?
**Dr. Kim:** The deployment of North Korean troops could provide Russia with additional manpower and enhance its operational capabilities in Ukraine. This move could embolden other adversarial nations and complicate the security environment in Europe and Northeast Asia. Moreover, it underscores the importance of a unified response from NATO and other allies to counter growing threats from authoritarian regimes.
**Editor:** what should we be watching for in the coming days as this situation unfolds?
**Dr. Kim:** Key indicators to monitor include any updates from NATO and South Korea regarding troop movements and further intel reports. Additionally, we should pay attention to reactions from Ukraine, as they might adjust their military strategies in response to this new development. this situation requires alertness and coordinated diplomatic efforts to mitigate escalating tensions.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kim. It will be crucial to follow this evolving story as more information becomes available.
Or both South Korea and NATO as they assess the potential implications of North Korean troops being deployed alongside Russian forces, especially given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
**Editor:** What do you think are the potential consequences of this troop deployment for the broader geopolitical landscape?
**Dr. Kim:** The involvement of North Korean soldiers in a conflict involving NATO member countries could significantly escalate tensions. It signals a deepening military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, which could embolden both countries in their respective military strategies. Additionally, if North Korean troops engage in combat, it could provoke a strong response from the international community and heighten fears of further destabilization in the region.
**Editor:** How should South Korea and its allies prepare for these developments?
**Dr. Kim:** Maintaining a robust defense posture is essential. South Korea must enhance its military readiness while also investing in intelligence capabilities to monitor North Korean movements. Furthermore, fostering stronger alliances with NATO and other regional partners will be critical in countering any potential threats arising from this collaboration.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kim. This situation is certainly evolving, and we’ll be watching closely to see how it develops.
**Dr. Kim:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we stay informed as these events unfold.