North Korea aims to obtain Russian missile, nuclear, and military technologies in return for its support of Moscow's war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian foreign minister has said.
Speaking in Kyiv alongside Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that Ukrainian intelligence confirms Pyongyang’s intent to gain access to advanced Russian military technologies, including missile and nuclear systems.
“The defeat of the Russian Federation in Ukraine will stop other aggressors and the entire axis of evil from aggressive plans,” he added.
The ministers also discussed enhancing Ukraine-Japan cooperation, particularly through Japan’s involvement in Ukraine’s Victory Plan and Peace Formula.
“Pyongyang is seeking to exchange its participation in the aggression against Ukraine for access to Russian technologies... This is extremely threatening. And all this cannot but worry our partners, and therefore we must counteract such threats together,” Sybiha stated.I informed about the frontline situation and our priority needs. We agreed that DPRK's involvement in Russian aggression needs strong response. Discussed Victory Plan, Peace Formula, sanctions, demining, deepening security cooperation. Thanked Japan for its significant support.
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) November 16, 2024
“The defeat of the Russian Federation in Ukraine will stop other aggressors and the entire axis of evil from aggressive plans,” he added.
The ministers also discussed enhancing Ukraine-Japan cooperation, particularly through Japan’s involvement in Ukraine’s Victory Plan and Peace Formula.
North Korean troops and influence in Russia
Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko told the Voice of America (VOA) U.S. broadcaster that a North Korean “command center” has been established in Russia’s Kursk region, comprising seven senior officers, including generals and brigade commanders.
Ponomarenko added that North Korean forces, including the 93rd Special Forces Brigade, are stationed near the village of Rechitsa, with troop numbers expected to rise from 11,000 to 15,000.
While the ambassador doubted their ability to change the war’s trajectory, he said that “10–15,000 North Korean soldiers will certainly burden the Ukrainian army.” He added that rotational deployments could result in up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers gaining combat experience, posing a future threat to regional stability in East Asia.
North Korea has also supplied Russia with long-range artillery systems, including 50 self-propelled M1989 howitzers and 20 modernized multiple rocket launchers, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing Ukrainian intelligence.
Meanwhile the Defector Propaganda Corps, a group of North Korean defectors to South Korea, many of them with military background, is aiding Ukraine with materials encouraging North Korean soldiers in Russia to defect.
Drawing on their experience in and knowledge of the North Korean propaganda tactics and military, the Corps prepared flyers and audio recordings with instructions for desertion, which it shared with Ukraine’s military and embassy in South Korea, the Korea Times reported.
Ponomarenko added that North Korean forces, including the 93rd Special Forces Brigade, are stationed near the village of Rechitsa, with troop numbers expected to rise from 11,000 to 15,000.
While the ambassador doubted their ability to change the war’s trajectory, he said that “10–15,000 North Korean soldiers will certainly burden the Ukrainian army.” He added that rotational deployments could result in up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers gaining combat experience, posing a future threat to regional stability in East Asia.
North Korea has also supplied Russia with long-range artillery systems, including 50 self-propelled M1989 howitzers and 20 modernized multiple rocket launchers, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing Ukrainian intelligence.
Psychological warfare against North Korean troops
Meanwhile the Defector Propaganda Corps, a group of North Korean defectors to South Korea, many of them with military background, is aiding Ukraine with materials encouraging North Korean soldiers in Russia to defect.
Drawing on their experience in and knowledge of the North Korean propaganda tactics and military, the Corps prepared flyers and audio recordings with instructions for desertion, which it shared with Ukraine’s military and embassy in South Korea, the Korea Times reported.
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