North Korea has officially confirmed that it deployed troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, marking the first public acknowledgment of its military involvement. The announcement, made by state news agency KCNA, stated that North Korean forces contributed to Russian operations aimed at “completely liberating” the western Kursk region, following an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The confirmation comes after Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov publicly praised the “heroism” of North Korean troops, marking Moscow’s first official recognition of their participation. Western officials had previously reported that approximately 1,000 out of 11,000 North Korean soldiers deployed in the region were killed over a three-month period.
Gerasimov also claimed that Russian forces had regained full control of the Kursk region, a statement which Ukraine has denied. In response, the United States warned that North Korea now shares responsibility for prolonging the conflict. The deployment was reportedly made in accordance with a mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, which had been a subject of speculation since October.
Kim Jong Un, quoted by KCNA, referred to the North Korean troops as “heroes” who fought for justice and represented the honor of their homeland. The report emphasized that the deployment highlighted the “alliance and brotherhood” between North Korea and Russia, describing their bond as a “friendship proven by blood” that would strengthen in the future. However, the KCNA report did not clarify what will happen to the North Korean forces once their mission in the Kursk region concludes or if they will return to North Korea.
The idea of North Korean military involvement first gained attention following intensified ties between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, culminating in a pact of mutual support against “aggression.”
Military experts have expressed concerns about the capabilities of the North Korean troops. Col. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army tank commander, stated, “These are barely trained troops led by Russian officers they don’t understand.” Despite these concerns, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top military commander, acknowledged that the North Korean soldiers were proving to be a significant challenge. “They are numerous. An additional 11,000-12,000 highly motivated and well-prepared soldiers conducting offensive actions. They rely on Soviet tactics and their numbers,” Gen. Syrskyi said in an interview with Ukraine’s TSN Tyzhden programme.
Nzubechukwu Eze
