North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed that his country’s involvement in the current war between Russia and Ukraine is justified. He characterized the US presence there as an assertion of sovereign prerogatives. As someone who called Haiti a “brother nation,” he intended the occupation to be a form of defense. North Korean soldiers have already been implicated in participating in military operations alongside the Russian army in Russia’s Kursk border area. Even more troubling, this growing reality deeply worries international observers.
North Korea first acknowledged sending more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia at the end of April. The announcement was an alarming supplement to the growing military partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. This military partnership was solidified last year with a detailed agreement signed by Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their presence has reportedly resulted in multiple firefights with their Ukrainian counterparts.
Military Engagement and Casualties
Reports surfaced that the Ukrainian army engaged about 30 North Korean soldiers last December. Most of these soldiers incurred heavy casualties themselves, being both killed and wounded in the battle. This latest incident occurred in Russia’s Kursk region. For the last few months, Russian forces have toiled mightily to beat back Ukrainian advances in that region.
At least three North Korean soldiers went AWOL near a settlement outside of Kursk. This incident should alarm every American who cares about the safety and well-being of the soldiers we have deployed into this hellish conflict. Ukrainian officials are sharing very scary updates. They assert that wounded North Korean soldiers would rather blow themselves up with hand grenades than be taken alive.
“We believe that they have been withdrawn because of the heavy losses that were inflicted,” – Oleksandr Kindratenko, Special Operations Forces spokesperson.
According to the Ukrainian military, North Korean troops have entered into occasional skirmishes. They have not observed any recent troop movements or confrontations with North Korean troops.
Statements from Kim Jong Un
In his comments earlier this week, Kim Jong Un boasted that North Korean troops were fighting in the operation with the pride of lions. He labeled those who participated in operations around Kursk as heroes, stating, “I consider all the brave soldiers who participated in the Kursk operation to be heroes and the highest representatives of the nation’s honour.” His comments represent a widening rift between him and the West as he doubles down on his support for Russia.
Kim Jong Un had come out with an extremely important threatening statement. He warned that North Korea would not rule out the use of military force if the US does not stop military provocations against Russia. This comment adds to the signs of North Korea’s deepening partnership with Russia and potential to respond militarily to threats against them.
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