North Korean troops are reportedly being sent to aid the Russian military in its invasion of Ukraine, with the Pentagon suggesting that they may be used as 'cannon fodder.' The Pentagon press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, acknowledged the possibility of North Korean military personnel entering Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, cautioning that it is a situation worth monitoring closely.
Reports indicate that North Korea plans to deploy an engineering corps to support Russian operations in Ukraine, following a recent defensive pact between Russia and North Korea. This pact obligates both nations to provide military assistance to each other in the event of armed invasion from external forces.
The South Korean government has expressed concerns over the pact, viewing it as a direct threat to its national security. Despite no explicit agreement on North Korean involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his support in the ongoing conflict.
Russia has framed its invasion of Ukraine as a defensive action to reclaim what it considers its rightful territory, a narrative that North Korea appears to endorse. This alignment could potentially justify North Korean participation in the conflict under the mutual defense pact.
In response to the pact between Russia and North Korea, South Korea is reportedly considering providing military support to Ukraine as a form of political retaliation. The situation continues to evolve, with international observers closely monitoring the developments in the region.
