North Korea Sends Citizens to Assist Russia’s Military in Ukraine, Zelensky Claims
Russia's President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in June, the first visit of its kind in more than two decades. Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/Pool/Reuters
North Korea Sends Citizens to Assist Russia’s Military in Ukraine, Zelensky Claims
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised alarms over the growing alliance between North Korea and Russia, asserting that North Korean citizens are being sent to aid Russian military efforts in Ukraine. In his daily video address on Sunday, Zelensky stated, “We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces.”
Context of the Allegations
Zelensky’s comments come amid a deepening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a historic visit to North Korea—the first such visit in over two decades—raising questions among Western observers regarding the extent of North Korea’s assistance to Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Obviously, in such circumstances, our relations with our partners need to be developed. The frontline needs more support,” Zelensky emphasized, reiterating his appeal to Western nations for long-range missile capabilities to target Russian positions.
Reports from Ukrainian Intelligence
A source within Ukrainian intelligence, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, informed CNN last week that a small contingent of North Koreans has been collaborating with the Russian military. Their roles include engineering support and sharing knowledge related to North Korean ammunition. The source also reported that some North Korean personnel had recently died in eastern Ukraine.
In response to these allegations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims as “another hoax.” However, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has indicated that it is closely monitoring the situation and believes the reports could be credible.
South Korean Defense Minister’s Insights
During a parliamentary defense sector audit on Tuesday, South Korea’s Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun stated that it is “highly likely” that reports of North Korean military casualties in Ukraine are accurate. He expressed concern that the likelihood of further deployment of North Korean troops is significant, indicating that Russia and North Korea have formed a mutual agreement that resembles a military alliance. “We will also be well-prepared for this possibility,” he added.
Ongoing Accusations of Arms Supply
Multiple governments have accused North Korea of supplying munitions to Russia for its prolonged conflict in Ukraine, a claim that both nations have denied despite substantial evidence suggesting otherwise. Since Russia’s invasion, the two countries, both facing isolation from the West, have cultivated increasingly close ties.
During Putin’s June visit to North Korea, both leaders pledged to utilize all available means to provide immediate military assistance should either nation come under attack, marking a significant defense pact between the two autocratic regimes. In his remarks prior to the meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed “full support and solidarity with the struggles of the Russian government, military, and the people,” specifically referencing Russia’s actions in Ukraine as efforts to “protect its own sovereignty, safety, and territorial stability.”
SEO Keywords: North Korea, Russia, Ukraine conflict, Volodymyr Zelensky, military alliance, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, arms supply, international relations, defense pact.
