North Korea has agreed to send 1,000 deminers and 5,000 military builders to Russia’s Kursk region, which was invaded by Ukraine and has been a focal point of conflict. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced the agreement during a visit to Pyongyang, where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This development further solidifies the deepening military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Shoigu stated that the deployment is “a kind of fraternal assistance from the Korean people and leader Kim Jong Un to our country”. The agreement is part of a broader effort to strengthen Russia-North Korea ties, which have grown significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has been supplying Russia with thousands of troops and conventional weapons to support its war efforts.
The agreement between Russia and North Korea includes a mutual defense clause, sparking concerns from the United States and South Korea that Kim Jong Un may seek Russian technology transfers to enhance his nuclear-armed military. According to British Defence Intelligence, more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers have died in the Russia-Ukraine war. The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region is seen as a significant development in the conflict, with potential implications for regional stability.
The United States and South Korea have expressed apprehensions about the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, warning that it could lead to increased tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Russia has urged restraint from all parties involved in the conflict, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.
The potential consequences of North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia are significant, with some estimates suggesting that up to 100,000 North Korean troops could be sent to support Russia’s war efforts. The troops being sent to Russia include elite special forces units, known for their rigorous training and combat readiness, who are expected to undergo training in modern warfare techniques.