Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un during a meeting in September 2023. Both sealed a strategic alliance that includes military aid (DPA)
The government of North Korea He maintained this Friday that the eventual sending of North Korean soldiers to support the Russian army in Ukraine it would be a measure in accordance with international law. In statements collected by the state agency KCNAthe deputy foreign minister, Kim Jong-gyustated: “If something like what the international media is talking about happens, I think it would be an action that complies with international legal standards.”.
This is the first official response from the regime Pyongyang following reports that thousands of North Korean soldiers would be receiving training in Russia to join the war in Ukraine. Kim anticipated possible criticism, saying that “surely there will be forces that want to present it as illegal“, but insisted that his country considers legal any possible military participation in Russia.
The vice minister also clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs North Korean does not participate in the operational decisions of the Ministry of Defense and that, therefore, it does not feel the need to independently confirm the veracity of the reports. This position reaffirms the line of the dictatorship of Kim Jong-un in its strategic alliance with Moscowwhile both countries face sanctions and pressure from the international community.
kyiv’s response
The president of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenskywarned this Friday that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia will deploy soldiers from North Korea in the coming days, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. “On October 27 or 28, the first North Korean soldiers will be deployed by Russia in combat zones“, he stated Zelensky after a meeting with his military and security team, describing the measure as an “obvious escalation” and demanding a forceful international response.
Dictator Kim Jong-un with part of his military leadership on October 17 (Reuters)
Zelensky He stressed that the international community should not “close its eyes” or offer “vague comments,” but rather exert “tangible pressure” on Moscow and Pyongyang to respect the UN Charter. The statement comes amid reports of USA y South Korea that confirm the presence of 3,000 North Korean soldiers in Russian territory, presumably in the process of training to participate in the war alongside the forces of the Russian army. According to the intelligence of Seoulthe North Korean regime could commit up to 12,000 troops to the Russian war effort.
Ukrainian sources have indicated that North Korean soldiers are moving from the Russian Far East to the west, with the region of Kurskwhere active clashes are taking place between Russian and Ukrainian troops, as a possible destination for this first contingent.
Both USA as South Korea have confirmed that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers are already training in Russia to enter the war with the Russian Army.
According to the intelligence of Seoul, North Korea has decided to contribute up to 12,000 men to the Russian war effort.
Ukrainian sources say they have evidence of movements of North Korean soldiers from the Russian Far East, where they have begun training, to the west of Russiafrom where they would join the ranks of the troops of the Kremlin who fight against Ukraine.
(With information from EFE).-
