Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed in a speech to parliament that North Korea was aiding Russia in the war in Ukraine, providing not only weapons but also soldiers. This military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has raised concerns from the United States, South Korea, and Japan. Reports from Ukraine and South Korea suggest that North Korean soldiers were killed in Ukrainian strikes and transferred to Russia’s Pacific port city of Vladivostok. However, Russia dismissed these claims as fake news.
The relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang deepened with a mutual defense pact signed in June, allowing for military assistance in the event of an attack. Experts suggest that North Korea’s assistance to Russia includes providing weapons for the conflict in Ukraine. There have been reports of North Korean missiles being used in Ukraine, which violates UN sanctions on North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
The military ties between Russia and North Korea are seen as transactional, with Russia receiving weapons and military technology in exchange for food, cash, and technological assistance to North Korea. The relationship benefits North Korea by providing advanced military technology and gaining support in the UN Security Council for its nuclear and missile program.
The US, South Korea, and Japan have condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, with concerns over the impact on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula. The extent of North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine and its impact on global security remains a topic of concern among international observers.
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