North Korea Sends Soldiers to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

North Korea has sent 1,500 soldiers to Russia for training, marking its first direct military involvement in Moscow’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, the troops traveled aboard seven Russian ships, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally inspecting the deployment. Additionally, large Russian transport aircraft have been frequently flying between Vladivostok and Pyongyang, suggesting ongoing military coordination.

The news has sparked concerns about the deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that North Korean troops appear to be joining the war effort, while South Korea’s intelligence agency provided satellite images as evidence of the troop deployment. The reports indicate that North Korea’s involvement is not limited to training but could extend to direct participation in the conflict.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern over the reports, though he stated that he could not independently confirm the deployment. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused North Korea of actively supporting Russia’s aggression by providing weapons and personnel. The chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, described the troop movements as alarming and called for an immediate response from the United States and NATO allies.

South Korean media has speculated that North Korea may ultimately deploy up to 12,000 troops to Russia, although the National Intelligence Service has not verified these claims.