South Korea Suspects North Korea to Increase Troop Deployment to Russia
South Korea’s military suspects North Korea is sending more troops to Russia after casualties in Ukraine. North Korea is also preparing to test intercontinental ballistic missiles. Concerns grow over deepening military relations between North Korea and Russia, as Trump’s potential return escalates diplomatic tensions and implications for regional security.
On Friday, South Korea’s military indicated suspicions regarding North Korea’s plan to send additional troops to Russia, primarily due to heavy casualties among their soldiers in the Ukraine conflict. This assessment was part of a report disseminated by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, which also highlighted ongoing preparations by North Korea to conduct intercontinental ballistic missile tests targeting the United States.
The potential return of former President Donald Trump to the White House may improve diplomatic relations with North Korea, as he previously engaged in three summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first term. Analysts believe that Kim may perceive his advancing nuclear capabilities and increased military collaboration with Russian President Vladimir Putin as leveraged benefits that could enhance his negotiation position compared to their previous interactions in 2018-19.
North Korea has been providing substantial artillery and conventional weaponry to Russia. U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence noted that North Korea deployed approximately 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia last October. There are concerns among allies that Russia might reciprocate this support by supplying advanced weapon technologies to North Korea, thereby bolstering its nuclear arsenal.
Although North Korean soldiers are recognized for their discipline and training, their lack of combat experience has made them vulnerable to airstrikes in the predominantly flat terrains of the Ukraine war. Recent assessments by South Korea’s intelligence agency indicate that roughly 300 North Korean soldiers have died, with another 2,700 injured. Conversely, Ukrainian estimates indicated that approximately 4,000 North Koreans had been killed or injured, whereas U.S. estimates were considerably lower at 1,200.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff noted a potential escalation in troop deployments from North Korea to Russia, although the methodology of their assessment was not disclosed. Heightened military interactions between North Korea and Russia could embolden Kim in negotiations with the United States and South Korea. During a recent political conference, Kim committed to a stringent anti-U.S. policy, while some analysts suggest that he might eventually seek dialogue with Trump, contingent upon his willingness to concede.
The previous diplomatic endeavors faltered when Trump dismissed a proposal from Kim that involved the dismantling of a key nuclear facility in exchange for significant sanctions relief. Since then, Kim has intensified his missile testing efforts aimed at enhancing his nuclear capabilities directed towards the U.S. and South Korea.
In South Korea, apprehensions arise regarding Trump’s potential shift from advocating for complete denuclearization to focusing solely on curbing North Korea’s long-range missile program, which poses an immediate threat to the U.S., while neglecting their nuclear capacities directed at South Korea.
In a recent Fox News interview, Trump characterized Kim as “a smart guy” and indicated his intentions to reconnect. Trump’s remarks on North Korea as a “nuclear power” garnered significant attention in South Korea, where policymakers have traditionally refrained from such descriptions due to its implications under U.N. Security Council mandates.
Jeon Ha Gyu, spokesperson for the South Korean Defense Ministry, reiterated the necessity of pursuing North Korea’s disarmament as a vital condition for securing enduring peace across the Korean Peninsula and globally. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry also expressed intentions to work in sync with the Trump administration to advance North Korea’s denuclearization agenda. North Korea has yet to respond to these developments, while state media from Pyongyang did not address U.S. relations or related foreign policy issues during a recent parliamentary meeting.
In summary, South Korea’s military observations point towards North Korea’s preparations to bolster troop contributions to Russia amid significant battlefield losses. The evolving United States-North Korea diplomatic landscape could be influenced by the return of former President Trump, as he previously engaged with Kim Jong Un on several occasions. Concerns persist regarding arms exchanges between North Korea and Russia and the implications for regional security, as well as the potential recalibration of U.S. policy under Trump’s presidency.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
