Zelensky Calls Out Allies as North Korean Troops Gear Up for Ukraine
Published on October 23, 2023
Hold onto your helmets, folks! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thrown down the gauntlet to his allies, urging them not to “hide” from the rather alarming prospect of North Korean troops strutting their stuff on the battlefield alongside Russian forces. That’s right, 12,000 North Korean soldiers might soon trade in their rice bowls for rifles—talk about an international cultural exchange program!
The North Korean Connection
In a late-night speech that probably had some people reaching for the sleeping pills, Zelensky revealed Ukraine’s intel suggesting that North Korea is prepping troops for deployment in this ongoing Russia-Ukraine saga. Let’s be honest: if the North Koreans are joining the party, it sounds like a chaotic reunion of the world’s worst military strategies. The last thing we need is a new flavor of authoritarianism hopping into the mix!
“This is a challenge,” he proclaimed. A challenge indeed! It’s like adding a bear to a wrestling match that was already against the odds—you’d better believe there’s going to be a lot more grappling and far fewer gentle hugs. And let’s not even get started on the snacks!
Zelensky’s Urgent Call
Zelensky saw this as a serious wake-up call for his allies, insisting, “If North Korea can intervene in a war in Europe, it is clear that not enough pressure has been put on this regime.” Oh, absolutely! Because nothing screams “diplomacy” quite like a North Korean shadow looming over a European battlefield. It’s like watching your neighbor’s crazy uncle show up unannounced at Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe pour some gravy on that situation!
South Korea’s Response
Meanwhile, in a plot twist worthy of a soap opera, South Korea is considering sending a military intelligence team to Ukraine. They want to keep an eye on how the North translates “combat tactics” into action. It’s unclear whether that means teaching them modern warfare or simply how to be really, really quiet and hope no one notices them in the corner.
Instead of delivering weaponry outright, it seems they prefer the ‘defensive’ route—essentially waiting till the lightning storm of battle passes and then asking if they can help hold an umbrella. And here we thought the song “The Ice Cream Man” was about somber moments—this could really throw a wrench in their ballistic missiles-and-buttercream dream.
The Bigger Picture
The bottom line? Zelensky is right; it’s high time that everyone gets serious and helps him tackle these aggressors. If not, this could spiral into a geopolitical game of tic-tac-toe—with potentially explosive consequences. And let’s be real: no one ever wins at tic-tac-toe.
So, what’s the moral of the story? If you see North Korean soldiers milling about in Europe, it might be time to rethink your party guest list. Here’s hoping their presence is as short-lived as a summer blockbuster sequel! Let’s hope Zelensky’s call to arms resonates, because the balance of power is at stake—and rumor has it, no one likes a sore loser!
Image of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky (EFE/EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO)
The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenskyasked his allies on Tuesday to “not hide” and respond to evidence of the involvement of North Korea in the Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In his late-night speech, he said Ukraine has information about the preparation of two units — possibly up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers — to participate in the war alongside Russian forces.
“This is a challenge, but we know how to respond to this challenge. It is important that partners do not also hide from this challenge,” Zelensky added.
Thus, Zelensky assured that in Pyongyang and Moscow “does not value human life,” and called on all its partners to collaborate for the common goal of ending the war, which began at the end of February 2022 after the invasion order of Russian President Vladimir Putin. .
“If North Korea can intervene in a war in Europe, it is clear that not enough pressure has been put on this regime. “If Russia can continue to expand and extend this war, then everyone who is not helping to force Russia to accept peace is, in fact, helping Putin to fight this war,” he added.
Thus, the Ukrainian president advocated the need to “stop the aggressors” and pointed out that for this kyiv expects “a firm and concrete response from the world.” “Let us hope that it will not be limited to words,” President Zelensky concluded.
North Korean troops equipped with Russian material in preparation for deployment to Ukraine
On the other hand, Seoul is considering sending a delegation of its military intelligence to Ukraine to monitor the troops that are apparently going to support Russia on the battlefield, a South Korean government source explained to the agency. Yonhap.
“There is a possibility that personnel will be sent to Ukraine to supervise combat tactics and training of North Korean special forces sent to support Russia,” said the aforementioned source, who requested anonymity.
If Seoul approves its sending, the team would be made up of military personnel from intelligence units, whose role would be to analyze the combat tactics of North Korean troops or participate in interrogations in case soldiers sent to Ukraine by Pyongyang are captured.
“Instead of (supplying kyiv with) lethal weapons, defensive weapons will be prioritized, and even if lethal aid is provided, a way to send them indirectly would be considered first,” the source added, referring to the regulations of South Korea not to send offensive weapons to countries that are in conflict.
It is believed that, given the apparent sending of North Korean troops to Ukraine, Seoul could choose to discard that precept and begin to reinforce kyiv’s defenses as part of the “phased measures” that the South Korean president, Yook Suk-yeolpromised what he would do regarding this situation during a telephone conversation on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
File – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik, Kremlin Photo via AP, File)
On the same Monday, Yoon also met in the South Korean capital with the British Foreign Minister, David Lammyto whom he transmitted the information held by Seoul about the alleged sending of North Korean troops and to whom he expressed his desire to continue strengthening security ties in the current global context.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the continued illegal arms transfers by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, official name of North Korea) and the alleged deployment of its troops to the Russian Federation to support Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine,” the text begins.
The two foreign officials assure that Seoul and London are “closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in exchange for its supply of weapons and military personnel, including the possible supply by Russia of materials and technology to the DPRK to support Pyongyang’s military objectives.
“We are also deeply concerned about the possibility of any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology to the DPRK, as it would jeopardize international non-proliferation efforts and threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the world.” world,” adds the statement.
Both parties assure that they will work together with the international community “to find the necessary measures to deter new illegal, reckless and destabilizing behavior” by Pyongyang and Moscow.
(With information from Reuters, Europa Press and EFE)
