North Korea for the first time, the Sending troops to Russia to support your military offensive in Ukrainein an ad that raises questions about the moment chosen to do soalthough since October of last year kyiv and other governments had already presented evidence and accused Pionyang to deploy soldiers in the conflict.
An unsustainable secret to voices
For months, Both North Korea and Russia avoided officially recognizing the presence of North Korean soldiers In the Ukrainian conflict, despite multiple intelligence reports, verified images and testimonies of prisoners of war.
From the fall of 2024, Ukraine and the West denounced the deployment of thousands of North Korean troopsmany of them integrated as assault units in the Kursk region.
The silence broke last Saturday, when the chief of the General Staff of Russia, Valeri GuerásimovPresident Vladimir Putin informed the y expressly thanked the support of North Korean troops.
According to Guerásov, The soldiers sent by Kim Jong-un “fought shoulder shoulder” with the Russian forces and were fundamental to expel Ukrainian troops from that border area.
The Russian gesture seemed to give Green Light to Pionyang to make your own admissionwhich has arrived days later with an official statement by exalting the “Sacred Mission” of its soldiers.
The North Korean note largely reproduces the Kremlin propaganda narrativeby accusing Ukraine of having invaded Russian territory with the “imperialist” forces support Western and describing North Korean troops as a key in the release of the area and “Ani -neo -Nazis forces”.
“The most likely reason for the moment of the announcement is the previous recognition by Russia. Once Moscow officially admitted the presence of North Korean troops, Pionyang had no reason to continue hiding it“, there is explained EFE Gabriela BernalAssociate expert of the European Center for North Korean Studies.
As if this coordination forms part of a major strategyBernal has warned that “It’s hard to know with certainty”although it is possible that Russia has decided to reveal it to capitalize your military advances in Kursk or even for Increase pressure on the US in his mediation efforts with Ukraine.
“After Russia’s announcement about Kursk’s total recovery, it is considered that Both Moscow and Pionyang have concluded that formalizing the deployment of troops serves their mutual interests“said the Ministry of South Korean Unification to EFE.” Everything indicates that North Korea would have officially recognized the sending of soldiers after a Prior coordination with Russia“.
Shortly after Pionyang’s announcement, to the forces of North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un For his role in the reconquest of the Kursk region, in a statement released by the Kremlin.
War, diplomacy and symbolism
The North Korean announce also coincides with other relevant events on the geopolitical board.
He April 26the president of the United States, Donald Trumpand its Ukrainian counterpart, Volodímir Zelenski, They gathered for about 15 minutes in the Vatican After the funeral of Pope Francis. Both described the conversation as a constructive.
In addition, Trump subsequently expressed doubts about Putin’s will to negotiate an end of the conflicteven suggesting that they could consider new sanctions if there are no real advances.
In addition, Pionyang’s announcement comes a few days after Russia celebrated Victory Day on Nazi Germany, on May 9, one of the most symbolic dates of the Russian political calendar.
Within that framework, the Speculations about a possible official visit by Kim Jong-un a Moscow or other regions of Russia. At the end of March, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Rus, Andrey Rudenko, confirmed that preparations are being made for an official visit of the North Korean leader to Russian territory.
Government sources from South Korea have pointed out that Kim’s visit could be made in May, while some experts have said that, although the possibility is low, the North Korean leader could make an appearance in Moscow for Victory Day. Kim has never visited the Russian capital.
International condemnation: Seoul and Washington respond
Pionyang’s confirmation also unleashed a rapid response from South Korea. The Ministry of Defense has described the deployment as “A confession of a criminal act” that violates the UN letter and the resolutions of the Security Council. The South Korean government has accused North Korea of threatening global security and has demanded the immediate withdrawal of its troops from the conflict.
From Washington, the State Department has also reacted hard. A spokesman has indicated that countries like North Korea, which “They have perpetuated the war between Russia and Ukraine, they have responsibility” for its duration and consequences.
US has asked for so much End of military deployment like him cessation of any reciprocal support by Russiaremembering that North Korean soldiers training in Russian territory violates multiple resolutions of the UN Security Council.
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