South Korean intelligence announced the dispatch of 12 thousand DPRK troops to Ukraine

In a photo taken on October 17, 2024 – Kim Jong-un against the backdrop of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People's Army/Photo KCNA via KNS/AFP

The National Intelligence Service of South Korea announced the dispatch of 12 thousand North Korean troops to Russia to support it in the war with Ukraine. This was reported by the Renhap agency.

According to reports, Pyongyang has already made such a decision, and the redeployment of troops has already begun. We are talking about four military brigades, including special forces units.

If confirmed, this could be the first large-scale deployment of North Korean troops outside the Korean peninsula. North Korean special forces fought in the Angolan civil war in the 1970s and 1980s.

South Korean President Yun Seok-yol held an emergency security meeting. He called the deployment a serious security threat to his country and the world community.

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Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the possible participation of North Korean troops in the invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, October 17, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Volodymyr Budanov, said that about 11,000 North Korean troops were already undergoing training in eastern Russia. According to him, the first unit was being prepared to be sent to the Kursk region.

A representative of the South Korean Ministry of Defense did not confirm this information on Thursday; in an interview with Renhap, he said that the DPRK could have sent civilian personnel to Russia.

• The DPRK openly supports Moscow in the war in Ukraine and recognizes the annexed territories of Ukraine as part of Russia. In June, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a strategic partnership agreement, which provides, among other things, for mutual military support in the event of aggression by a third country.
• North Korea supplies Russia with artillery shells and missiles. There have also been reports of possible deliveries of military uniforms and other types of ammunition and equipment.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga