In perhaps the most surprising development, North Korea has pledged to send up to 6,000 troops to join recovery efforts in Russia’s Kursk region. This sector has been increasingly crippled due to the war in Ukraine. The deployment consists of 5,000 military builders and 1,000 deminers, making a significant new pledge to support Russia to provide assistance. This cooperation was discussed between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Their chat occurred, as the context suggests, during Shoigu’s recent trip to Pyongyang.
In his remarks, Shoigu described North Korea’s actions as “a kind of fraternal assistance from the Korean people and leader Kim Jong Un to our country.” Such language underscores the advancing military collaboration between the two countries. Their military cooperation has grown deeper ever since they signed a wide-ranging comprehensive military agreement last November. This agreement included a mutual defense clause, deepening their alliance even more as tensions flared across the globe.
Shoigu’s trip was the second to North Korea by a high-level Russian official in less than two weeks. This speedy return underscores the deepening ties between the two countries. Despite the significance of this meeting, North Korea’s state media has yet to confirm the details of Shoigu’s visit.
This military support has quickly materialized after recent media reports confirmed that North Korea is actively supplying arms to Moscow. This assistance enhances Russia’s relentless campaign to perpetuate the war on Ukraine. This help is especially urgent given that North Korea has already lost more than 6,000 troops in the war. In April, both countries publicly acknowledged for the first time that North Korean troops had been sent to Russia. This decision underlines the expansion of their collaborative military efforts.
Foreign Policy reports that North Korean troops assisted Russia in regaining territory in the Kursk region. Though significant, this partnership marks a larger approach by both nations. They see progress as an opportunity to strengthen their military capabilities and share vital resources.
“An agreement was also reached on continuing constructive cooperation.” – Sergei Shoigu
The ongoing partnership between North Korea and Russia illustrates a significant shift in global alliances, particularly as both nations face increasing scrutiny from the international community. As they continue to deepen their military ties, it remains to be seen how this cooperation will influence the dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
