By Eric Vandenbroeck and co-workers

Clash with North Korean Troops Sparks Fears of Escalating Global Conflict

The Financial Times (FT) and other media outlets have reported that Ukrainian forces have fired on North Korean troops deployed to Russia’s western Kursk region, marking the first known combat engagement with foreign soldiers since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky has said “the first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world” as the war in Europe inches closer to its 1000-days mark.

The US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments say up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops are being sent by Pyongyang to the war under a pact with Moscow.

Kyiv has assessed that Vladimir Putin is cutting short the training period for North Korean soldiers, earlier expected to last a month, in order to rush them to the frontline.

Kim Jong Un reportedly sent 10,000 troops to Russia, who are sneaking into the Ukraine using civilian trucks.

According to reports, troops are being transported through Russia's southern Kursk region in disguise, hiding in Kamaz trucks.

Radio communications between two Russian commanders were intercepted, discussing issues with the supply of troops from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Hence Ukrainian forces have engaged North Korean troops on the frontlines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the clash in his nightly address, calling it a "new page in instability" as he warned of Russia's growing reliance on foreign forces to bolster its ranks. North Korea's deployment to Russia has triggered international condemnation and raised alarms about an escalation that could extend the conflict's reach and impact.

"This marks a disturbing expansion of the conflict," Zelenskyy said, addressing the involvement of North Korean soldiers in what he described as a dangerous escalation by Russia. "Together with our allies, we must ensure that Russia's strategy of extending the war by recruiting foreign forces fails." Zelenskyy thanked the international community for supporting Ukraine's defenses and urged continued vigilance.

Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's defense minister, confirmed the confrontation in an interview with South Korean state television. Umerov described it as a "small engagement" with North Korean soldiers, indicating that Ukraine is closely monitoring the deployment and preparing for the possibility of larger encounters as North Korea increases its forces in the region. "They are disguised as Russian soldiers, making it difficult to identify them immediately," he stated, referring to North Korean soldiers allegedly dressed in Russian uniforms to blend in on the battlefield.

The global reaction has been swift. The G7 nations, along with South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, released a joint statement condemning the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. "North Korea's direct involvement in Russia's aggression against Ukraine underscores Russia's desperation and poses a dangerous expansion of the conflict," the statement read, signaling that countries allied with Ukraine are prepared to respond firmly to this new development.

Zelenskyy has been actively voicing concerns over the presence of North Korean troops, highlighting the potential regional risks. He called on South Korea to take a greater role in aiding Ukraine, including dispatching defense specialists to assist with air defense capabilities. "The real threat of North Korean involvement should be of concern to all who value regional stability," Zelenskyy said, adding that North Korea's involvement could offer "a disturbing preview of what might befall other regions if unchecked."

The global reaction has been swift. The G7 nations, along with South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, released a joint statement condemning the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. "North Korea's direct involvement in Russia's aggression against Ukraine underscores Russia's desperation and poses a dangerous expansion of the conflict," the statement.

South Korea's Defense Ministry estimated that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia, with a large number positioned near the frontline areas, including in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces recently conducted operations. The South Korean government expressed deep concern over the "significant deployment" and emphasized the implications for regional security, urging North Korea to withdraw from the conflict.

 

 

For updates click hompage here