www.koreatimes.co.kr By The Korea Times
South Korea’s spy agency confirmed on Friday that North Korea has decided to send around 10,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine and has already begun deployment.
The National Intelligence Service’s (NIS) confirmation came after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency security meeting amid mounting speculation that the North may be providing its soldiers to fight Russia’s war in Ukraine.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, is welcomed by students during a visit to Kim Jong-un University of National Defense in Pyongyang, Oct. 7, to mark the school’s 60th anniversary, in this photo provided by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency. YonhapFollowing the meeting, the NIS said it has confirmed the “beginning of the North’s direct involvement” in the Ukraine war, after having learned that troops from the North were moved aboard Russian Navy transport ships.
The NIS also said it has confirmed that Pyongyang began transporting its special forces troops to Russia from Oct. 8 to 13.
According to the NIS, approximately 1,500 North Korean soldiers were transported during the first phase, using four amphibious landing ships and three escort vessels owned by Russia.
These troops were moved from areas near the North’s cities of Chongjin, Hamhung and Musudan to Vladivostok. The NIS said it expects that a second phase of transport will occur soon.
A Seoul intelligence source said North Korea is expected to deploy a total of 12,000 troops, including those from the country’s most elite military units, to the war in Ukraine.
North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been stationed across various locations in the Far East, including Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk and Blagoveshchensk, where they are currently integrated with Russian military units.
According to the spy agency, they have been issued Russian military uniforms and weapons…
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