North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat operations against Ukraine alongside their Russian allies, South Korea’s spy agency said on Wednesday.
Seoul’s confirmation comes amid growing global criticism as the two countries strengthen military ties, after Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to aid its war with Ukraine.
“The National Intelligence Service estimates that North Korean troops dispatched to Russia have moved to the Kursk region over the past two weeks,” the agency said in a statement.
They had completed deployment to the battlefield, and were already participating in combat operations, it added.
On Tuesday, North Korean state media said Pyongyang had ratified a mutual defence treaty with Russia signed in June by the two countries’ leaders, providing for each to come to the other’s aid in case of an armed attack.
Other reports said the performance of the North Korean troops on the ground needs to be closely watched given their inexperience of 21st century war involving mechanised formations, drones, sensors and constant surveillance.
Northern troops may be more used to trench warfare, combined arms and the use of long range precision artillery.
The reports said the North Koreans arrived in Russia minus any weaponry, which means they will be using Russian weapons. That may not be an issue given the North Korean army uses large quantities of Soviet-era arms.
But there may be command and control issues. It’s not clear whether the Russians are equipped to handle so many North Koreans given reports about the lack of language specialists. Communications may be a problem.
It’s not clear if NK troops are trained to fight in urban areas. It generally requires high levels of training, specialised equipment and real time communications.
It’s speculated that the North Koreans could be deployed in defensive roles, holding already captured positions, thereby freeing up Russian troops for offensive operations. This may well be Russia’s intention given the build up of forces opposite Ukrainian-held Kursk.
With Reuters inputs
