North Korea May Send More Troops to Russia for Ukraine War by July
North Korea may deploy additional troops to Russia to support its war effort in Ukraine as early as July or August, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the country’s intelligence agency, The Gaze reports, citing Reuters.
Speaking to reporters after a closed-door session, South Korean member of parliament Lee Seong-kweun revealed that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) believes Russia may be preparing for a large-scale assault on Ukraine in the coming months.
He noted that the intelligence agency based its assessment on a new troop mobilization effort by Pyongyang and a recent visit to the North Korean capital by a senior Russian presidential security official.
The NIS also reported that North Korea continues to supply arms to Russia. In exchange for shipments of artillery shells and missiles, Pyongyang is believed to be receiving technological assistance.
“In return for North Korea sending artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia, Pyongyang is likely receiving technical advice on satellite launches and missile guidance systems,” Lee said, citing the briefing.
After months of silence on the matter, both North Korea and Russia have recently acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russian territory and their role in operations aimed at reclaiming the Kursk region.
The cooperation is said to be part of a mutual defense agreement signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June of last year.
As The Gaze previously reported, on June 5, during a high-level meeting in Pyongyang with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his country's steadfast and unconditional support for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
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