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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for its military support in the conflict with Ukraine, acknowledging their joint efforts and the sacrifices made by North Korean troops. This statement followed North Korea’s confirmation of its involvement for the first time, marking a significant moment in their military alliance.
The synchronicity of statements from both leaders highlights their growing military ties. This announcement comes just days after Russia claimed to have successfully regained control of the Kursk region, which had previously fallen to Ukrainian forces during a surprising offensive last year.
Ukrainian officials have unequivocally rejected Russia’s assertions, insisting that military activities in some parts of Kursk are ongoing.
In his remarks on the Kremlin’s website, Putin commended North Korean soldiers for their contributions, stating they had valiantly defended their shared homeland alongside Russian forces. “The Russian people will forever honor the bravery displayed by the DPRK special forces. We will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our collective freedom,” said Putin, referencing North Korea’s official designation.
This marks North Korea’s inaugural acknowledgment of its military presence in Russia, despite having consistently voiced its solidarity with Moscow’s military actions against Ukraine. According to intelligence from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian sources, North Korea has sent an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia, representing their first engagement in a significant conflict since the Korean War.
Both leaders reiterated that the troop deployment aligns with a mutual defense treaty signed between them in June 2024. This agreement is viewed as the most significant defense pact between the two nations since the Cold War, mandating immediate military assistance if either nation is attacked.
As North Korea and Russia deepen their relationship amidst ongoing tensions with the U.S. and its allies, their collaboration raises alarms. In addition to troop deployment, North Korea is supplying extensive conventional weaponry to Russia, prompting concerns that this partnership could lead to Russia providing advanced military technology to bolster North Korea’s weapons programs.
Kim’s emphasis on North Korea’s involvement in securing the Kursk region reveals his attempt to strengthen ties with Russia, aiming for military technology exchange and a reaffirmed security commitment from Moscow, as noted by Moon Seong Mook, an analyst at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, indicated that Russia stands ready to offer military support to North Korea as outlined in their defense treaty.
While Russia’s claimed victory in Kursk may diminish North Korea’s justification for its troop presence, analysts suggest that North Korea is unlikely to withdraw its forces while the conflict remains active, and may instead provide support through alternative, covert means.
Experts like Kim Yeol Soo from the Korea Institute for Military Affairs argue that North Korea may have acknowledged its troops’ involvement due to its inability to conceal the reality any longer. This announcement could also serve as a propaganda effort to enhance unity within North Korea, and might herald Kim’s planned visit to Russia for upcoming ceremonies commemorating the May 9 Victory Day.
Neither nation has disclosed the specific number of North Korean soldiers currently deployed or any casualties incurred during their participation. However, previous assessments from South Korean military sources suggested that approximately 4,000 North Korean personnel had either died or been injured since the onset of the conflict, with another 3,000 troops reportedly dispatched to Russia this year.
In response, Kim Jong Un has announced plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang honoring the military achievements of North Korean forces and to provide support for the families of those who faced loss in the conflict.
North Korean soldiers are known for their discipline and training, yet they have proven to be vulnerable to aerial and artillery assaults due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the battlefield. Nevertheless, Ukrainian military assessments indicate that the North Koreans have accrued valuable battlefield experience and have played an important role in Russia’s strategy to overwhelm Ukrainian forces during the battle for Kursk.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry sharply criticized North Korea’s troop deployment, demanding their immediate withdrawal, and labeling it a grave provocation to global stability. Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam condemned the move as “an act against humanity,” highlighting the sacrifices of young North Korean soldiers.
In discussions with Putin on Saturday, Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s general staff, affirmed the recovery of the Kursk region and lauded North Korean troops for their alleged professionalism and bravery in combat.
Should Russia’s claims regarding the Kursk region be validated, it could impact Ukraine’s bargaining power in future negotiations aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict.
President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s intentions to conclude hostilities, suggesting that achieving peace may be elusive. Just a day earlier, Trump had indicated that Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal.”
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Associated Press writer Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia contributed to this report.
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