North Korean Troops Join Russian Forces: What Does This Mean for the United States?
A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a news program, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. North Korean leader Kim promised full support for Russia's war in Ukraine before beginning a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Putin in Pyongyang on Wednesday, in a bid to expand their economic and military cooperation and show a united front against Washington. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
In October 2024, North Korea sent troops to Russia to aid its war efforts against Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the conflict has attracted substantial international attention, with the US emerging as one of Ukraine’s primary supporters. The involvement of North Korean troops could signal a major shift in Moscow’s strategy in the war.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that North Korean military presence in Russia represents a “very, very serious” escalation and will have ramifications in both Asia and Europe. On Oct. 23, 2024, National Security Spokesman John F. Kirby discussed the issue at a White House press briefing, stating that North Korean soldiers traveled from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia, before heading to various military training sites in Eastern Russia. On Oct. 28, 2024, NATO Secretary-General Mark Ruttee confirmed recent Ukrainian reports of North Korean military units in the Kursk region of Russia. The following day, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that there is now a “relatively small number” of North Korean troops in Kursk, with more troops reportedly on the way. This area has been a site of ongoing struggles for Russian troops facing Ukrainian forces.
Russia has allegedly struggled to maintain its military force since 2022. In 2023, Russian forces were in a confrontation with the Wagner mercenary group, a paramilitary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who came close to rebelling against Moscow. In 2024, the Russian government reportedly continued to face recruitment difficulties. US officials estimated that Russia recruits about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers a month, which is just enough to fill in for the dead and wounded. To address this shortfall, Russia has turned to unconventional tactics, such as increasing sign-up bonuses for volunteers and expanding recruitment from less affluent nations like Nepal and Cuba, as well as from prisons. Russia offered some Cubans large payments and the prospect of Russian citizenship while enticing men from Nepal with comparatively higher wages. For North Korea, aiding a major power like Russia presents an opportunity to break its isolation and pursue economic benefits.
In this photo provided Thursday, June 20, 2024, by the North Korean government, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, right, attend the official welcome ceremony at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, June 19. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency.(Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
Senior US intelligence officials find the escalation troubling, expressing concerns that recent American-made missile strikes on Russian territory by Ukrainian forces may incentivize Russia to support North Korea in demonstrating its capability to threaten US territory. Additionally, North Korea’s involvement complicates the existing system of alliances. Although China, which borders Russia and North Korea, has publicly advocated for a peaceful settlement in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, there are ongoing disputes regarding Chinese support for Russia’s development of military weapons. Meanwhile, US allies such as South Korea and Ukraine, both of whom have raised alarms about North Korean troop movements into Russia, are troubled by this new development. Relations between the US and China might grow more strained, while South Korea is now considering providing military aid to Ukraine.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has cost it the support of many international allies, yet reclusive North Korea has continued to back Russia. In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea, where the two nations signed an agreement pledging “mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either country.” With North Korea now actively supporting Russia in combat, concerns are rising. The US has long disputed the nuclear capabilities of both Russia and North Korea, a situation made even more complex by the recent aggression pact. If the US or one of its allies were to engage militarily with either Russia or North Korea, the consequences could be far-reaching.