Anna Hudak, news editor

North Korea recently sent 10,000 soldiers to aid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine according to AP News, indicating a potential international escalation. The majority are anticipated to be heading for the Kursk region where Ukraine launched the largest attack in Russian territory since World War II. Some North Korean troops have already been spotted in Ukraine according to western intelligence officials. More are expected to follow after completing their training in Russia.

As Russia receives reinforcements from North Korea, which holds the “fourth-largest standing army in the world” according to NBC News, Ukraine anticipates its military capabilities to become strained. Pres. Joe Biden maintains the position that Ukraine has the right to defend itself which includes using U.S. provided weapons on North Korean troops if they invade, according to AP News. To increase Ukraine’s self defense capabilities, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenksy recently requested long-range Tomahawk missiles from the U.S. as part of Zelensky’s Victory Plan. This shortly follows the most recent imbursement of aid to Ukraine from the U.S., about $400 million.  

North Korea sending military support to Russia is a continuation of stronger relations between the two nations. This builds upon the ratification of their mutual defense pact in June which requires both countries to support the other in the circumstance another country invades them. Throughout the invasion of Ukraine, North Korea has supplied Russia continuously with millions of rounds of ammunition in exchange for food shipments according to Shin Won-sik, South Korean defense minister. Troops from North Korea may have higher morale than conscripted Russian soldiers who frequently attempt to evade service. North Korean soldiers may regard it as a rare opportunity to travel outside of the country and increase their pay which is typically less than $1 monthly, according to ABC News. In a quote to the Washington Post Lee Woong-g-l, former member of North Korea’s elite Storm Corps, stated “They are too young and won’t understand exactly what it means. They’ll just consider it an honor to be selected as the ones to go to Russia among many North Korean soldiers.”

These developments are of particular concern to South Korea, who is technically still at war with North Korea since the Korean War (1950-1953). North Korea routinely uses nuclear tests as a means to antagonize and intimidate South Korea. Closer relations between Russia and North Korea could lead to an increase in nuclear tests without the risk of sanctions because of Russia’s veto power in the U.N. Military knowledge developed through combat experience and the acquisition of nuclear technologies from Russia could embolden North Korea to continue provoking South Korea.

Russia’s recruitment of North Korean troops has been interpreted by U.S. officials as desperation, but also a very serious action. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said to a Reuters reporter, “It does have the potential of lengthening the conflict or broadening the conflict.”