North Korea may send up to 1 lakh troops to aid Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to G20 assessments, the deployment could happen in phases, with rotating units arriving in Russia’s Kursk region and occupied eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, has already flagged this potential deployment. He suggested an initial wave of 15,000 North Korean soldiers could arrive soon, rotating every few months. This development has alarmed Ukraine’s allies, who view North Korea’s involvement as a dangerous escalation.
Western nations are particularly worried about the broader implications for regional stability. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced his concerns directly to Vladimir Putin, warning that North Korean involvement could destabilize the Indo-Pacific, where tensions are already high due to US-China rivalries.
The upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil will likely focus on this issue. Scholz plans to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging Beijing to use its influence to prevent North Korea from escalating the conflict. China, a close ally of both Russia and North Korea, has remained silent so far.
Reports suggest North Korea has already sent over 10,000 troops to Russia, along with weapons and artillery. South Korea fears Pyongyang may seek advanced military technology from Moscow in return, including tactical nuclear weapons and missile systems.
