South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador in protest over claims that North Korea deployed thousands of soldiers to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine. South Korea is demanding the immediate withdrawal of these troops, expressing grave concerns over the security threat posed by this deployment. The move comes after a mutual defense agreement was signed between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in June.
According to South Korea’s intelligence agency, around 1,500 North Korean special forces soldiers have been stationed in Russia, with plans to head to the front lines in Ukraine. The agency also revealed that North Korea has provided Russia with weaponry for the conflict. The deployment of troops and supply of weapons violate UN Security Council resolutions and the UN Charter.
Recent satellite images show North Korean soldiers being transported to Russia and stationed in military bases across the Far East. These elite soldiers are expected to join the front lines in Ukraine after completing training. Pyongyang has also supplied Russia with a significant number of weapons since August.