North Korea may send its regular armed forces personnel to Ukraine “to support Russia.” This was stated in the South Korean Parliament by the Minister of Defense of the Republic, Kim Yong Hyun, whose words were reported by the Yonhap agency. “Since Russia and North Korea have signed a mutual agreement similar to a military alliance, the possibility of such a deployment is very likely,” said the head of the South Korean Ministry of Defense.
Kim Yong Hyun was referring to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed in June 2024. The document provides for the provision of mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties, Putin said. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the signing of the agreement with the DPRK, stated that Russia’s right “to develop good relations with our neighbors should not cause concern for anyone and cannot and should not be disputed."
Kim Yong Hyun also commented on Ukrainian media reports that six North Korean soldiers were allegedly killed in the combat zone in early October. The minister said that this information “is most likely true,” Yonhap reports. The Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Defense did not comment on Kim Yong Hyun’s statements.
In September 2023, the Russian President called “complete nonsense” talk about the supposed sending of North Korean volunteers to the military operation zone. Putin said that Russians sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense to participate in military operations, guided by “the highest patriotic considerations.” In July, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported on a visit to Russia by a delegation from the Kim Il Sung Military University. Details about the meeting were not provided. Dmitry Peskov refused to talk about the details of the visit, referring the question to the Russian Ministry of Defense. At the same time, he noted that Russia intends to “further develop and deepen our relations in all possible areas with one of our closest neighbors, North Korea.”
Kim Yong Hyun was referring to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed in June 2024. The document provides for the provision of mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties, Putin said. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the signing of the agreement with the DPRK, stated that Russia’s right “to develop good relations with our neighbors should not cause concern for anyone and cannot and should not be disputed."
Kim Yong Hyun also commented on Ukrainian media reports that six North Korean soldiers were allegedly killed in the combat zone in early October. The minister said that this information “is most likely true,” Yonhap reports. The Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Defense did not comment on Kim Yong Hyun’s statements.
In September 2023, the Russian President called “complete nonsense” talk about the supposed sending of North Korean volunteers to the military operation zone. Putin said that Russians sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense to participate in military operations, guided by “the highest patriotic considerations.” In July, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported on a visit to Russia by a delegation from the Kim Il Sung Military University. Details about the meeting were not provided. Dmitry Peskov refused to talk about the details of the visit, referring the question to the Russian Ministry of Defense. At the same time, he noted that Russia intends to “further develop and deepen our relations in all possible areas with one of our closest neighbors, North Korea.”
