North Korea Supports Russia with Military Aid in War Against Ukraine

North Korea is reportedly sending artillery systems and rocket launchers to Russia to bolster its war efforts against Ukraine, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). The North Korean aid includes 177mm self-propelled artillery pieces and 240mm long-range rocket launchers. Additionally, North Korea has dispatched personnel to maintain these weapons, which are not typically part of Russia’s conventional arsenal.

North Korean Soldiers in Russia

Seoul alleges that North Korea is not only supplying weaponry but also sending thousands of soldiers to assist Russia, thereby strengthening their bilateral ties. These soldiers are assigned to brigades of Russia’s air force and navy for tactical and intervention training. Some are believed to have participated in combat in the Kursk border region. South Korean intelligence estimates the number of North Korean soldiers in Russia to be approximately 11,000.

It has been reported that North Korean troops in Russia are trained to endure high levels of physical pain and psychological torture. However, neither Pyongyang nor Moscow has confirmed the presence of these soldiers. North Korea stated in late October that any deployment would comply with international law.

Surge in North Korea’s Weapons Tests

Analysts suggest that North Korea’s increased weapons testing could foreshadow additional shipments of military equipment to Russia. This growing commitment has caused Seoul to reassess its position on the war in Ukraine, even considering the possibility of directly supplying weapons to Kiev.

The two allies, North Korea and Russia, are bound by a recently ratified mutual defense treaty, which further intensifies the situation.