'World War': North Korea sends troops to help Russia's war in Ukraine

Both Russia and North Korea have denied any arms deals between the two nations. (Image: AFP File Photo)

North Korea has decided to dispatch a significant number of troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency on Friday, citing intelligence from Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The NIS reported that North Korea plans to send 12,000 soldiers, including special forces, organised into four brigades, to aid Russian forces in Ukraine. Yonhap added that the North Korean troops have already left the country, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the NIS.

South Korea’s presidential office has confirmed that President Yoon Suk Yeol held an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss North Korea’s reported decision to send troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine. According to the NIS, North Korea's deployment of 12,000 soldiers, including special forces, poses a serious threat to regional and global security. However, the office did not provide specific details about the timing, number, or roles of the troops.

South Korea has long accused the North of supplying weapons to Ukraine, which would breach multiple UN sanctions against both countries. In light of these developments, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency meeting on Friday to address the escalating ties between Russia and North Korea.

"The deepening military relationship between Russia and North Korea, which goes beyond mere arms transfers to include troop deployments, presents a significant security threat not only to our nation but also to the international community," stated the presidential office.

Amid deteriorating relations with the South and its ally, the US, North Korea has strengthened its ties with Russia, highlighted by President Vladimir Putin's rare visit to Pyongyang in June, where the two nations signed a mutual defense agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Thursday, shared intelligence suggesting that 10,000 North Korean troops are being prepared to join the war, though they have not yet arrived in Ukraine or Russia. Zelenskyy warned that the involvement of a third nation could escalate the conflict into a “world war.”

"From our intelligence we’ve got information that North Korea sent tactical personnel and officers to Ukraine," Zelenskyy said at the NATO headquarters during an interaction with the press, adding, "They are preparing on their land 10,000 soldiers, but they didn’t move them already to Ukraine or to Russia".

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that, while there is no direct evidence of North Korean troops on the battlefield, the alliance is aware of North Korea's support for Russia through weapons, technological supplies, and innovations, raising serious concerns.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian media had reported that six North Korean military officers were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on Russian-occupied territory near Donetsk on October 3. In response, South Korea's Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, informed lawmakers that the report was "highly likely" accurate.

The US, South Korea, and their allies have accused North Korea of providing Russia with artillery shells, missiles, and other military equipment. In return, North Korea may be receiving food, economic aid, and technology to bolster its nuclear-armed military. Both Russia and North Korea have denied any arms deals between the two nations.

(With agency inputs)