Kim Jong Un ignores world war warnings and sends 12,000 troops to support Putins invasion of Ukraine
Kim Jong Un has ignored warnings of a looming world war three and has dispatched 12,000 troops to support Russias devastating invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.
Kim Jong Un has ignored warnings of a looming world war three and has dispatched 12,000 troops to support Russias devastating invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.
This includes an initial contingent of 1,500 special forces soldiers who were sent to Vladivostok.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap North Korean troops have already left the country.
While South Korean National Intelligence Service did not immediately confirm the report, the countrys presidential office said President Yoon Suk Yeol had presided over an emergency meeting earlier Friday to discuss North Koreas troop dispatch to Ukraine.
The statement said participants of the meeting agreed that the dispatch of North Korean troops poses a grave security threat to South Korea and the international community.
But the presidential office gave no further details like when and how many North Korean soldiers have been sent to Ukraine and what roles they are expected to play.
North Korean soldiers march during a mass military parade in Pyongyangs Kim Il Sung Square. Kim Jong Un has reportedly dispatched 12,000 troops to support Russias devastating invasion of Ukraine
This image, taken on October 2, shows North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un (centre L) inspecting a training base of the Korean Peoples Armys special operations forces
The troops were promised to Vladimir Putin by the country¿s president Kim Jong-un during a state visit to Pyongyang. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un during a signing ceremony of the new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024
It comes after Ukrainian media reported earlier this month that six North Koreans were among those killed after a Ukrainian missile strike in the partially occupied eastern Donetsk region earlier this month.
The incident was also cited by South Koreas defence minister Kim Yong-hyun who said it was highly likely to be true.
It is thought to be the first batch to deploy there were engineering specialists who were expected to be used to strengthen defences behind Russian lines as Ukraine has recently been able to make significant gains in Russian territory.
Both Ukraine and Russia have foreign fighters in their ranks. A number of UK volunteers have been killed fighting for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia recruits soldiers from pro-Moscow African states and international mercenaries.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government has intelligence that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being prepared to join Russian forces fighting against his country, warning that a third nation wading into the hostilities could turn the conflict into a world war.
From our intelligence weve got information that North Korea sent tactical personnel and officers to Ukraine, Zelenskyy told reporters at NATO headquarters. They are preparing on their land 10,000 soldiers, but they didnt move them already to Ukraine or to Russia.
The Kremlin is said to have paid North Korea to send personnel to the front in a deal struck on president Vladimir Putins state visit to Kim Jong Un.
The Kremlin is said to have paid North Korea to send personnel to the front in a deal struck on president Vladimir Putin s state visit to Kim Jong Un
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government has intelligence that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being prepared to join Russian forces fighting against his country. Image taken on October 2 shows North Korean troops taking part in training at a base of the Korean Peoples Army special operations forces
North Korea, like Iran, is also reported to be supplying weaponry and ammunition.
The suggestions emerged as Zelensky unveiled his blueprint for liberating Ukraine, calling Russia and its allies a coalition of criminals.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the western alliance have no evidence that North Korean soldiers are involved in the fight. But we do know that North Korea is supporting Russia in many ways, weapons supplies, technological supplies, innovation, to support them in the war effort. And that is highly worrying.
The US, South Korea and their partners have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells, missiles and other equipment to help fuel its war on Ukraine
Outside officials and experts say North Korea in exchange possibly received badly needed food and economic aid and technology assistance aimed at upgrading Kims nuclear-armed military.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang have repeatedly denied the existence of an arms deal between the countries.
