The US has warned that North Korea is gaining significantly from its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, enhancing its readiness for a potential high-intensity conflict in Asia.
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Camille Shea, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the combat experience gained by North Korea is improving its ability to wage war against its neighbors.
Shea also highlighted the advantages of the transfer of Russian arms to Pyongyang in exchange for military manpower, which has apparently bolstered the capabilities of the Asian military power.
“In turn, the DPRK will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally,” she stated, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
North Korea has reportedly sent over 12,000 soldiers to Ukraine to support Russian forces, following a mutual defense treaty signed between Pyongyang and Moscow in June 2024.
‘Slaves’ to Kim Jong Un
Reports of North Korean troop deployment in Ukraine first surfaced in mid-2024, with the US government confirming it was closely monitoring the situation.
In July, a Reuters report confirmed the departure of the first batch of Pyongyang’s soldiers to assist Russian forces.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder questioned the “wisdom” of the deployment, suggesting that North Korean troops were sent to become “cannon fodder” in the conflict.
In December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the first official casualties among North Korean soldiers in Ukraine.
He noted that North Korean troops are frequently sent to the most perilous frontline positions, bearing the heaviest combat exposure.
These reports reinforce South Korea’s claim that North Korean troops are “essentially slaves” to Kim Jong Un, forced to sacrifice their lives on foreign battlefields to fund his regime and secure advanced military technology from Russia.
