North Korea has responded to accusations from Seoul and Washington about its potential troop deployment to Russia, asserting that any such deployment would align with international law. The claims, reported by North Korea’s state media, follow statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning that North Korean soldiers could be deployed as early as this Sunday.
Kim Jong Gyu, North Korea’s vice foreign minister in charge of Russian Affairs, addressed the allegations in the first official response by the country’s state media, saying that if North Korean troops were deployed, it would “conform to the regulations of international law.” Kim emphasized that his ministry does not directly handle military operations and thus cannot confirm the alleged deployment, deflecting the issue as a matter handled by the Ministry of National Defence.
South Korea, a close ally of the United States, has condemned the alleged deployment. Seoul pointed to videos circulating online that purportedly show North Korean soldiers in Russian military uniforms at bases in Russia’s Far East. South Korea’s government called on Moscow to cease what it described as “illegal cooperation” with Pyongyang, suggesting that continued military support could prompt South Korea to reconsider its stance on providing direct military aid to Ukraine.
Despite maintaining a policy that restricts the sale of weaponry to active conflict zones, South Korea remains a significant arms exporter. The nation has already supplied billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment—including tanks, howitzers, and rocket launchers—to Poland, a key ally of Kyiv.
At the United Nations, North Korean representatives have denied the accusations, dismissing them as baseless. Vice Foreign Minister Kim, speaking through the Korean Central News Agency, suggested that unspecified “forces” might attempt to frame the potential deployment as unlawful.
The potential military involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s war effort has heightened tensions in the region. The United States and its allies view North Korea’s growing relationship with Russia as an attempt by Pyongyang to sidestep international sanctions and strengthen its own military capabilities.
Seoul’s Foreign Ministry has said it will closely monitor the situation as the weekend approaches, with President Zelenskyy’s warnings adding urgency to South Korea’s decision-making process on aiding Ukraine.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, South Korea and its allies continue to grapple with how to address North Korea’s evolving role in the conflict, particularly as Pyongyang appears increasingly willing to support Russia in its protracted war against Ukraine.
Sources By Agencies
