While Ceasefire Talks Advance, Kim Jong Un Sends Another 3,000 Soldiers to Russia for Ukraine War Support

While Ceasefire Talks Advance, Kim Jong Un Sends Another 3,000 Soldiers to Russia for Ukraine War Support

In January and February of 2025, North Korea sent another 3,000 soldiers and missiles to Russia, which will be used to assist in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to the South Korean military's latest assessment, these soldiers have now joined the approximately 11,000 North Korean troops already in Russia.

This aligns with a statement made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, who indicated that Kim Jong Un's visit to Moscow is in the "preparatory stage." The South Korean military also stated that the additional troops were sent after 4,000 previous North Korean soldiers were killed in the battlefield.

North Korea has sent a total of 11,000 soldiers to Russia, of which 4,000 have been killed. An additional 3,000 soldiers were sent in January and February, and these soldiers will assist in Russia's assault on Ukraine. In addition, North Korea has provided missiles, ammunition, and artillery equipment, including significant amounts of short-range ballistic missiles, 170mm self-propelled howitzers, and 240mm rocket launchers.

This marks North Korea's first large-scale participation in military conflict since the Korean War of 1950-1953. Although Russia and North Korea have not openly acknowledged or denied their military cooperation, Kim Jong Un has expressed support for Russia's war in Ukraine, calling it "just."

Russia and North Korea, two of the most politically and economically isolated countries in the world, are deepening their relationship through a strategic partnership aimed at countering Western influence. Intelligence officials believe that North Korea is receiving economic and military aid from Russia, in exchange for supplying weapons and troops.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko recently visited North Korea and stated, "Two weeks ago, when I visited North Korea, we discussed this matter." He further mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to North Korea.

At the same time, in Paris, leaders of 30 countries are meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss increasing military support for Ukraine and negotiating a ceasefire. However, Russia has imposed additional conditions for a ceasefire, and many European countries believe that a peace agreement is still far off.