North Korean special forces troops have been seen boarding Russian ships and being transported to the mainland in satellite images released by South Korea’s intelligence services.
The images, from mid August, show North Korean troops boarding Russian naval transport ships and then organizing on the mainland.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service stated four landing ships and three escort ships belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet completed the first transport of approximately 1,500 North Korean special forces from near Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan, North Korea, to Vladivostok, Russia.
Russian ships seen transporting North Korean troops to the mainland, according to South Korea’s government.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service
A second transport operation is scheduled to take place soon, according to the government website.
If confirmed, this would be the first time that the Russian Navy had entered North Korean waters since 1990.
Russian ships seen transporting North Korean troops to the mainland, according to South Korea’s government.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service
The South Korean government website reported that the images confirm the start of North Korean military’s participation in the war.
Further intelligence reports released on Friday by South Korea stated that North Korea had sent a total of 12,000 troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
North Korean troops seen on a parade ground in Ussuriysk, 60 miles north of Vladivostok, according to South Korea’s government.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service
The development raises concerns about escalating tensions and the potential for a broader conflict involving a third country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that the North Korean troops have organized into four brigades.
North Korean troops seen on a parade ground in Khabarovsk in south-east Russia, according to South Korea’s government.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service
If confirmed, this marks North Korea’s first significant involvement in an international conflict, despite its large military of 1.2 million personnel lacking extensive combat experience.
Experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of North Korean troops in the conflict, citing the country’s outdated military equipment and limited battlefield expertise.
It is believed that North Korea may have received assurances from Russia regarding security support amid increasing tensions surrounding its nuclear program, particularly in relation to the U.S. and South Korea.
The Russian ship Angara, carrying North Korean weapons, departing from Najin Port, according to South Korea’s government.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin formalized a military assistance pact during a meeting in Pyongyang, marking a significant defense agreement between the two nations since the Cold War.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un exchange documents during a signing ceremony of the new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024. South Korean news reports said its intelligence service found that North Korea has dispatched 12,000 troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Kristina Kormilitsyna/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File
While the NIS has not officially confirmed the troop dispatch, South Korea’s presidential office announced that President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
North Korean soldiers march during a mass military parade in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square to celebrate 100 years since the birth of North Korean founder, Kim Il Sung on April 15, 2012. North Korea has 1.2 million troops, one of the largest militaries in the world, but it lacks actual combat experience.
Ng Han Guan/AP, File
The participants expressed concern that North Korea’s troop deployment poses a serious security threat to South Korea and the global community.
The presidential office did not provide specifics on the number of troops sent or their intended roles in Ukraine.
Russia has denied any involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict, with Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing the claims as “another piece of fake news” during a recent press conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently said his government has intelligence indicating that North Korea is preparing an additional 10,000 troops for potential deployment alongside Russian forces.
He said: “From our intelligence, we’ve got information that North Korea sent tactical personnel and officers to Ukraine.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged the lack of evidence supporting claims of North Korean soldiers actively participating in the conflict.
However, he confirmed that North Korea is providing various forms of support to Russia, including weapons and technological assistance.
The U.S. and South Korea, along with their allies, have for some time accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells, missiles, and other military equipment to bolster its efforts in Ukraine.
In return, analysts suggest that North Korea may be receiving vital food and economic aid, as well as technological support aimed at enhancing its nuclear capabilities.
Moscow and Pyongyang have consistently denied any arms agreements between the two nations.
