South Korea Warns of Increased North Korean Military Support to Russia

South Korea’s military indicates North Korea may send more troops to Russia after recent heavy losses in Ukraine. The nation continues preparations for missile tests, and there is speculation regarding increased military cooperation with Russia. Trump’s return could impact diplomatic talks, stressing the need to address North Korea’s nuclear ambitions as some analysts forecast heightened tensions and demands.

In a recent assessment, South Korea’s military expressed concerns that North Korea is poised to dispatch additional troops to Russia following significant casualties among its soldiers fighting in Ukraine. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff report indicates ongoing preparations by North Korea to conduct test-firings of intercontinental ballistic missiles aimed at U.S. territory.

The report, distributed to media, notes that President Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House may enhance diplomatic relations between Pyongyang and Washington, given his history of three meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first term. Analysts suggest that Kim may see his advancing nuclear program and strengthened military partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin as leverage in negotiations.

North Korea has been supplying Russia with considerable artillery and conventional weapons and previously deployed approximately 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia last October. Intelligence from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine emphasizes worries that Russia may share advanced weapon technology with North Korea that would bolster its nuclear capabilities.

Despite their reputed discipline and training, North Korean soldiers lack combat experience, which, coupled with their unfamiliarity with the Ukrainian battlefield, renders them vulnerable to drone and artillery attacks. Recent reports indicate that about 300 North Korean soldiers have perished, along with an additional 2,700 wounded, while other estimates, such as that from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggest casualties could total 4,000.

The South Korean military posits that North Korea’s actions signal a swift preparation to reinforce its troop presence in Russia, although details on how this conclusion was reached remain unspecified. Enhanced military relations between the two nations may embolden Kim during discussions with the U.S. and South Korea. In a recent political gathering, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to the “toughest” anti-U.S. policies, yet experts speculate he may still seek talks with Trump contingent on potential concessions.

Past negotiations between Trump and Kim collapsed largely due to the rejection of Kim’s limited offer for denuclearization in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, North Korea has ramped up its weapons testing efforts, notably focusing on expanding its nuclear arsenal targeting the U.S. and South Korea.

In South Korea, there is apprehension that Trump might forgo the complete denuclearization strategy and instead prioritize the reduction of North Korea’s long-range missile capacities that threaten the U.S., while allowing its nuclear arsenal aimed at South Korea to persist. During a recent Fox News interview, Trump described Kim as “a smart guy” and indicated readiness to engage with him again.

Trump also labeled North Korea a “nuclear power,” a characterization that stirred concern in South Korea, as such terms have historically been avoided by Washington to deter acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions contrary to U.N. Security Council mandates. Trump noted, “I was very friendly with him. He liked me. I liked him. Now he is a nuclear power. But we got along. I think he’ll be happy to see I’m coming back.”

Jeon Ha Gyu, the South Korean Defense Ministry’s spokesperson, emphasized the necessity of pursuing North Korea’s denuclearization as a key element for achieving lasting peace, both regionally and globally. Concurrently, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry plans to engage closely with the Trump administration on this issue. North Korea has yet to respond to Trump’s declarations, and reports from Pyongyang concerning the recent parliamentary meeting did not discuss U.S., South Korea, or foreign policy matters.

In summary, South Korea raises alarms regarding North Korea’s intention to send more troops to Russia amid substantial casualties among its soldiers in Ukraine. The evolving military relationship between North Korea and Russia, coupled with President Trump’s potential return to power, may influence future dialogues over denuclearization and international security. There remain significant concerns about North Korea’s capability enhancement through potential Russian technology transfer, alongside internal assessments of combat losses during the conflict in Ukraine. Overall, these developments underscore the critical need for continued diplomatic engagement and monitoring of North Korea’s military ambitions.

Original Source: www.nbcnews.com