Potential Deployment of 25,000 North Korean Troops to Russia Raises Concerns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that North Korea might send up to 25,000 additional troops to Russia, as the previous contingent of North Korean soldiers has suffered heavy casualties in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. Despite high losses and reports of mistreatment, these troops are gaining combat experience, which could pose future threats to U.S. security and the Indo-Pacific region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that North Korea is potentially preparing to send an additional 20,000 to 25,000 troops to assist Russia amid significant casualties suffered by North Korean forces previously deployed in Russia. Approximately 4,000 of the estimated 12,000 North Korean troops sent to the Kursk region in late 2022 have been killed or wounded in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy noted that, according to his sources, these additional North Korean troops have yet to arrive in Kursk. Reports from South Korea indicate North Korea’s preparations to reinforce troops due to escalating casualties, with the expectation that the new contingent will primarily consist of missile and artillery units. Notably, both Russia and North Korea have not publicly acknowledged their military cooperation.

U.S. and South Korean intelligence sources suggest that North Korean troops have experienced heavy losses while engaged in combat alongside Russian forces since the conflict surged in August. Zelenskyy further commented on the treatment of North Korean soldiers, stating that commanders view these troops as expendable, occasionally resorting to executions to prevent retreat.

Zelenskyy asserted that these North Korean forces are acquiring combat skills, including drone operations and countermeasures, thus posing a potential threat to security in the United States and the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized that this combat experience could significantly enhance their military capabilities upon returning to North Korea.

Reports from South Korea indicate that North Korean troops have not participated in combat operations since January, likely due to heavy casualties necessitating retraining. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces confirmed the absence of North Korean combatants in Kursk over the past three weeks.

Discussions among unidentified U.S. and Ukrainian officials have revealed that North Korean forces have been removed from front-line combat after suffering substantial losses. Estimates suggest that North Korea’s troop contingent could face total depletion by mid-April if current casualty trends persist.

Analysts estimate that North Korean troops have incurred approximately 92 casualties per day since joining the conflict in December, raising concerns about the sustainability of their deployment. These data suggest that without a change in strategy, the North Korean military presence could be vastly diminished within a short period.

Hwang Joon-kook, South Korea’s envoy to the United Nations, mentioned in January that the treatment of North Korean soldiers on the front lines aligns with inhumane tactics aimed at supporting the North Korean regime. Ukrainian military officials reported that North Korean soldiers are being utilized for dangerous tasks such as detecting landmines, further highlighting the grave conditions they face on the battlefield.

The continuous war between Ukraine and Russia has led to a complex involvement of various international players, including North Korea. Reports indicate that North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russian territory to bolster military efforts against Ukraine. The situation has drawn attention due to the high casualty rates among these troops and the implications for both regional and global security, especially given North Korea’s historical military struggles and its controversial military alliances.

In summary, the potential deployment of an additional 20,000 to 25,000 North Korean troops to Russia raises serious concerns about the ongoing conflict and the treatment of these soldiers. Heavy casualties among North Korean forces indicate a troubling trend, while the skills acquired through combat could pose future threats. Observations from both U.S. and South Korean officials suggest this situation is evolving rapidly and may have significant implications for international security.

Original Source: www.rfa.org