Fri Nov 22 11:49:22 UTC 2024: ## North Korea Sent Thousands of Troops to Aid Russia in Ukraine, Officials Say
**Seoul, South Korea –** North Korea has secretly deployed over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia’s war in Ukraine in exchange for oil, anti-aircraft missiles, and economic aid, according to South Korean government officials and a research group. This revelation comes after a strategic partnership treaty was signed between North Korea and Russia in June, obligating both countries to provide military assistance in the event of an attack.
South Korea’s top security advisor, Shin Won-sik, confirmed the delivery of military equipment and economic support to North Korea in exchange for the troop deployment. The non-profit Open Source Centre corroborated this, citing satellite imagery showing numerous North Korean oil tankers making multiple trips to Russian ports over the past eight months. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the oil was payment for the weapons and troops provided by Pyongyang.
The deployment has raised concerns in Seoul, leading to a shift in South Korea’s stance on potentially sending lethal aid to Ukraine. Analysts suggest North Korea is using the conflict to realign its foreign policy, bypassing its traditional ally, China, to engage with Russia’s war economy. The alliance benefits both countries: Russia gains manpower and military support, while North Korea receives crucial resources and technological advancements.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui recently visited Moscow, publicly affirming her country’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. While North Korea has not explicitly confirmed the troop deployment, it has stated that any such action would be legal under international law. Russia has deflected questions about the deployment, instead criticizing Western support for Ukraine. Both North Korea and Russia are under UN sanctions, for their nuclear weapons program and the Ukraine war, respectively.
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