As of October 29, 2024, The Pentagon estimates that over 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to be trained for the Russian-Ukrainian war. Pentagon spokesperson, Sabrina Sign, told reporters, “A portion of those soldiers has already moved closer to Ukraine…” President Joe Biden also weighed on the subject by stating that it was “very dangerous ” with the potential implications, not just for Ukraine, but for the entire continent of Europe.
South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, also seems concerned about this recent escalation in the war – specifically for his country’s and the international community’s national security. He has criticized the illegal military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described this deployment as a “significant escalation” that could dangerously expand the conflict. He emphasized that the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea pose a threat to security around the region. Such alliances reflect a worrying trend in geopolitics, where countries with authoritarian regimes find common ground against sanctions and international isolation.
The implications of North Korea’s involvement in the war have left Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to label this as an escalation by Russia in the war, which further complicates the already tense situation. Ukrainian foreign minister Adrian Syrihb has been vocal in urging its allies to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons and asserting that it was essential to counter North Korean presence. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, “The bottom line: listen to Ukraine. The solution: lift restrictions on our long-range strikes against Russia now.“
The Pentagon has confirmed it will refuse to lift or impose new limits on Ukraine’s use of American weapons, even with North Korea joining the conflict. This indicates a willingness to support Ukraine’s military efforts unreservedly. This decision is crucial as it suggests the U.S. will continue to empower Ukraine.
The urgency of the situation has left many in Ukraine to start demanding more military aid and a more comprehensive strategy to address the growing threat of Russia and North Korea. Kyiv’s leadership is still adamant that sanctions will not suffice and that a concentrated international response involving full military support is essential to ending this war.
