Ukraine Publishes Video of North Korean Soldiers Preparing for Putin's War
NewsweekOCT 22 2024
Zelenskyy: North Korean Troops Ready to Join Russian Forces in Ukraine
Above: This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows North Korean soldiers waving their national flags as they welcome Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after he landed at the airport in Pyongyang. Image copyright: KIM WON JIN/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
In a post on Telegram on Friday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that North Korean troops were ready "to be used by Russia in combat zones" in Ukraine between Sunday and Monday.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the North Korean troops include 500 officers and three generals, who have been receiving training at five military training grounds set up in the country's east.
This comes as Ukraine published footage appearing to show North Korean soldiers receiving Russian military uniforms and equipment last week. While North Korea hasn't confirmed the reports, in a statement on Friday, it claimed that any such deployment would "be in accordance with international law."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Even if these unsubstantiated claims were true, the deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia would conform to international norms. Regardless, there is no concrete evidence of North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine. The focus should remain on diplomatic solutions and de-escalation rather than fueling further tensions based on unverified reports.
Pro-establishment narrative
The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine is a matter of grave concern and only serves to expand the security implications of Russia's brutal and illegal war beyond Europe and into the Indo-Pacific. The international community must take immediate action to prevent further escalation of conflict and protect Ukraine's sovereignty.