Russia has practically dragged North Korea into the war, which itself would not mind participating in it. How will this affect the course of military operations in Ukraine? What combat readiness will Kim Jong-Un’s troops be in? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All these questions will be answered by Ivan Stupak<\/strong>, military expert, former officer of the Security Service of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 How likely do you think it is that North Korean troops will actually end up in Ukraine?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 The possibility is pretty high, but right now, we don’t exactly know whether North Korean soldiers are already in Ukraine or if it\u2019s just rumors. According to the statement from the president of Ukraine, North Korean soldiers are currently in Ukraine. However, we don\u2019t have exact numbers or know who they are\u2014whether they\u2019re assault troops, officers studying warfare, or maybe involved in supplying or maintaining North Korean ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 So, there\u2019s a lot of uncertainty. We don\u2019t know if North Korean soldiers are in Ukraine, who they are, or what they\u2019re doing. We\u2019re just guessing at their combat potential, right?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Exactly. But two weeks ago, Ukrainian military intelligence said they destroyed at least 20 North Korean officers in occupied territories. South Korea\u2019s Minister of Defense confirmed the first North Korean soldiers died in Ukraine, though he said the number was six, not 20. Either way, North Korean soldiers have definitely died in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Wow, that\u2019s huge news. Is that an international or military crime on Russia\u2019s part?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Well, Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine is already an international crime. Now, they\u2019re asking for troops from another dictatorship. In terms of international law, this could be considered the use of mercenaries. But if North Korean soldiers are involved, they\u2019ll likely be integrated into the Russian army, wearing Russian patches and serving as part of Russian units. It\u2019s not exactly a violation of international law\u2014just one dictator helping another, likely in exchange for cash, gold, technology, or something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Do you think South Korea should be worried about this collaboration between North Korea and Russia?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Yes, South Korea is on edge. North Korea is threatening to blow up roads connecting both Koreas and continuing to send balloons with trash to the South. It\u2019s a kind of cheap terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Balloons with just rubbish? What\u2019s the point of that?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Yes, just rubbish\u2014no reconnaissance equipment at all. Maybe it\u2019s something for South Korean intelligence to analyze, like DNA from the trash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Let\u2019s speculate. We know that North Korean soldiers have died in Ukraine. Do you think more troops will follow?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Earlier this year, there were rumors about 10,000 North Korean soldiers being sent to occupied territories. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n They were said to be engineers, maybe building trenches or defense structures, but these were just rumors. No facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n