UN alarm over report of Korean troops to join Russia’s fight in Ukraine

By Blessing Chinagorom

The United Nations has expressed concern over the reports of troops from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who made this known in a statement released on Sunday said this would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine, while stated that everything must be done to avoid any internationalization of this conflict. 

Guterres reiterated his support for all meaningful efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, new alliances with North Korea, Iran, and China are bolstering Moscow’s efforts.

It was reported that North Korea has sent troops, Iran provides missiles and drones, while China aids Russia with trade and technology, forming an “axis of evil” threatening global stability.

Report said some 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now in Russia near Ukraine’s border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days, the Biden administration said Thursday.
The new figure is a dramatic increase from a day earlier, when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would only say some of the troops had moved toward Ukraine’s border in the Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion.

That also would mean most of the North Korean troops that the U.S. and its allies say have been sent to Russia are now on the border with Ukraine.

The U.S. has estimated a total of about 10,000 North Korean troops are in Russia. Seoul and its allies assessed that has increased to 11,000, while Ukraine has put the figure higher, at up to 12,000.
Of the 8,000 in Kursk, “we’ve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces but we would expect that to happen in coming days,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference in Washington with Austin and their South Korean counterparts.

He further said, “Russia has been training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drones and “basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in front line operations”.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s efforts to tighten its relationship with Russia has raised concerns around the world about how that may expand the war in Ukraine and what Russian military aid will be delivered in exchange.

It’s become a key topic as United States and South Korean leaders met last week in Washington, fueling concerns that the presence of those soldiers will further destabilize the Asia-Pacific region and broaden Moscow’s war on Ukraine.