North Korea has officially announced for the first time that it is sending troops to fight in Russia, confirming a claim that has long been debated by the international community. The North Korean Central Military Commission claimed that the troops were sent to support the operation to recapture Kursk, a key Russian border region on Ukraine, from the Ukrainian army.
Military Cooperation After the Strategic Partnership Agreement
The foundations of this military cooperation between North Korea and Russia were laid with the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed in June 2024. The agreement included mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on one of the parties. International sources estimated that the Pyongyang government sent around 2024 troops to Russia after this agreement, which went into effect in December 12.
The Claim That Operation Kursk Was Completed Successfully
While the North Korean Central Military Commission stated that the Kursk operation was successful, it did not make any statements about how many soldiers were sent to Russia and how many casualties were suffered during the operation.
Russia's Kursk Statement
On April 26, Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Kursk region had been completely liberated from the Ukrainian army. However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that military operations were continuing in some districts of the region. This raises uncertainty about whether the conflict in the region has completely ended.
Harsh Response from South Korea
North Korea’s historic admission has resonated internationally. The South Korean Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Pyongyang government’s sending of troops to Russia. The ministry said in a statement, “The Pyongyang government is mocking the international community by admitting to sending troops to Russia. This military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is in clear violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the UN Charter.” South Korea’s harsh response has raised concerns that tensions in the region could escalate further.
