North Korea deploys troops to support Russia's military actions in Ukraine

In late 2023, North Korea confirmed the deployment of its combat troops to Russia to assist with military operations against Ukraine. This decision was made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two nations, which includes mutual military assistance in the event of an attack. The presence of North Korean forces in Russian territory was formally acknowledged during a high-level meeting in which Russian officials praised their contributions to liberating the Kursk Region from Ukrainian forces. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed anticipation for strengthened ties with North Korea, recognizing the deployment as a demonstration of solidarity in the ongoing conflict. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally ordered the military to engage in combat, labeling their operation in Kursk as a sacred mission to defeat what he referred to as ‘Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers’. Reports indicated that approximately 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia, and they received special training before being integrated into the battlefield. Their actions reportedly showcased effective coordination and discipline, garnering praise from both Russian military officials and North Korean state media, which celebrated their role as heroic and just. The situation escalated with Ukraine's earlier military incursions into the Kursk Region, prompting a response from North Korean forces aimed at liberating the area from Ukrainian control. The involvement of these troops marks a significant development in the military dynamics between the countries involved and reflects the complexities of international military partnerships in the context of the ongoing war.