NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed reports that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, specifically to the Kursk border region, raising alarms over the implications for regional security. The revelation follows a briefing to NATO officials and diplomats by a South Korean delegation, underscoring the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
In response to this development, the Ukrainian government has urged its allies to expedite military support and enable deep strikes into Russian territory. Ukraine has been engaged in a protracted conflict with Russia, which began in February 2022 when Moscow deployed tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.
Rutte described the military collaboration between Russia and North Korea as a significant threat to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security. He emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, stating, “The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security.” South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol echoed these concerns during discussions with Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warning that the deployment of North Korean troops could occur sooner than anticipated.
Ukrainian military intelligence reported on Thursday that North Korean units have already been identified in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been active since launching a significant incursion in August. Rutte characterized the deployment as “a significant escalation” of North Korea’s involvement in what he termed Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, highlighting it as a breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
The Pentagon estimated that around 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to eastern Russia for training, with some units reportedly moving closer to Ukraine. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh noted that these soldiers might soon augment Russian forces in combat operations against Ukraine. However, Singh refrained from confirming the presence of North Korean troops in Kursk, stating, “It is likely that they are moving in that direction towards Kursk.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the lack of a strong response from allies to the mounting threat. He urged NATO to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strikes against Russia, asserting, “The bottom line: listen to Ukraine. The solution: lift restrictions on our long-range strikes against Russia now.”
The Kremlin initially dismissed reports of North Korean troop deployment as “fake news,” but President Vladimir Putin did not deny the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, indicating that it was a matter for Moscow to handle under a partnership treaty with Pyongyang.
Mark Rutte stated that the deployment of North Korean troops signifies Putin’s growing desperation, noting, “Over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Putin’s war, and he is unable to sustain his assault on Ukraine without foreign support.” Ukrainian officials, including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, emphasized that sanctions alone would not suffice, calling for a comprehensive plan to address North Korea’s involvement. “The enemy understands strength. Our allies have this strength,” Yermak declared on social media platform X.
