Why North Korean soldiers are in Ukraine

The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia’s border with Ukraine marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict – and a worrying change of strategy for Pyongyang.

According to the Pentagon, North Korea has sent around 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia, and a “small number” of them are already in position near the Ukrainian border. Here’s why it has security experts worried.

Why North Korea’s deployment of troops matters:

The influx of 10,000 fresh troops from a foreign power “marks a further escalation” in the Ukraine conflict, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said on Monday.

“A portion of those soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine, and we are increasingly concerned that Russia intends to use these soldiers in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast near the border with Ukraine,” she said.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (C) visiting the command of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People's Army, at an undisclosed location in North Korea, October 17, 2024. Picture: KCNA via KNS/AFP

But paraphrasing recent remarks from US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, she said the move “highlights President Putin’s increasing desperation as Russia has suffered extraordinary casualties on the battlefield, and an indication that Putin may be in more trouble than people realise”.

Mr Austin has previously described Putin as ‘tin-cupping’ the regimes in Iran and North Korea to get more weapons and materials for the war in Ukraine.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder said it was anticipated the North Korean troops “will be employed in some type of infantry role”.

Shelling in the city Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, on October 23, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Picture: Genya Savilov/AFP

The deployment of soldiers to fight someone else’s battle also marks a significant development for North Korea, which has traditionally sought to exert its military might through missile tests rather than troop movements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned his country “will be forced to actually fight against North Korea in Europe.” Kyiv estimates Pyongyang is actually sending 12,000 soldiers to fight, and 3000 are already in position.

“This war is internationalised and goes beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia,” Zelensky posted on social media.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Picture: Francois Walschaerts/AFP

How strong is the North Korean army?

A US Defence Department analysis from 2021 says North Korea is one of the most heavily militarised countries in the world. With universal conscription, this nation of 26.5 million has some 7 million reservists it can call up. It also spends more on its military as a percentage of its GDP than any other nation – as much as 30 per cent, according the US defence analysis.

When did North Korea and Russia draw closer?

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in mid June signalled a much closer relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, with the two singing a comprehensive strategic partnership. The agreement includes a mutual defence clause. Previously, North Korea’s only defence agreement was with China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un arrive for a meeting at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024. Picture: Gavriil Grigorov/AFP

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Monday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Pyongyang “has already supplied Russia with millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles that are fuelling a major conflict in the heart of Europe and undermining global peace and security”.

In return, Mr Rutte said, Moscow is providing Pyongyang with “military technology and other support to circumvent international sanctions”.

The relationship has some history: the former Soviet Union also provided economic assistance to the regime before its dissolution in the early 1990s.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Picture: Francois Walschaerts/AFP

What are South Korea and the US doing?

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken are meeting with the South Korean ministers for defence and foreign affairs this week in Washington DC.

Seoul already supplies defence equipment to Poland and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said supplying Kyiv with defensive weapons was a live consideration.

South Korea and Ukraine have arranged to share intelligence and work together to deter further North Koran involvement in the conflict.

Tankers from the 33rd separate mechanised brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces fire with a Leopard 2A4 tank during a field training at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on October 27, 2024, amid the Russian invasion on Ukraine. Picture: Genya Savilov/AFP

What does it mean for Australia?

Speaking to the press on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said North Korea’s move “has broad implications for Europe and Indo-Pacific security” but did not go into details.

Asked what would happen if US military equipment was used against North Korean soldiers, Ms Singh said: “This is a calculation that North Korea has to make”.

“They are sending their soldiers in into a war where we’re seeing … Russian casualties and losses, you know, upwards of 500,000 at this point.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has criticised the North Korea/Russia security deal, calling it “destabilising”.

Originally published as Why North Korean soldiers are in Ukraine