North Korea to send 6,000 military workers to Russia, deepen ties amid war in Ukraine
North Korea is set to send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 deminers to Russia's Kursk region to aid reconstruction, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said during a one-day visit to Pyongyang. The announcement highlights growing military cooperation between the two nations amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Shoigu confirmed the move after meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, calling the deployment “brotherly aid” from North Korea. Russian state agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported that Kim had approved support for demining operations and infrastructure restoration in Kursk, an area hit by recent Ukrainian incursions.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), while confirming the cooperative discussions, did not mention the exact personnel figures. However, it reiterated Kim’s “unconditional” support for Russia’s efforts to protect its territorial sovereignty.
North Korea and Russia have increasingly coordinated military and political efforts, particularly since Kim and Vladimir Putin signed a defence pact in 2024 obligating mutual assistance in case of attacks. Observers now believe Kim may visit Russia again for another summit with Putin.
Reports from South Korea’s intelligence services and Western allies suggest that around 15,000 North Korean troops are already in Russia, with around 600 reported fatalities. These figures reflect broader unease in the West, as experts warn that the North could gain valuable battlefield experience while receiving advanced weapons technologies in return.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan have condemned the expanding cooperation, calling it a violation of United Nations sanctions. On Wednesday, the three allies conducted joint air drills near South Korea’s Jeju island, citing escalating nuclear and military threats from the North.
In response to Shoigu’s remarks, Japan and South Korea issued strong warnings, with Seoul calling the cooperation “grave” and Tokyo labelling it a threat to global security. The U.S. State Department also accused North Korea of sending “soldiers for hire” in exchange for funds and weapons technology.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has previously confirmed that Russia provided Pyongyang with drones, air defence systems, and electronic warfare equipment. These developments have raised fears that any future conflict on the Korean Peninsula could draw in Russia directly under the new defence pact.
(With AP inputs)