As tensions mount over North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict on Russia’s side, reports indicate that Moscow has secured support from Pyongyang by offering financial incentives and food resources, according to recent revelations from South Korean and American intelligence sources. In a move that has raised alarm across Western nations and Ukraine, around 10,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been stationed in Russia, trained in military tactics, and equipped with Russian gear, possibly for direct involvement in the conflict.
South Korean news outlet The Korea Herald cites lawmakers familiar with the intelligence, suggesting that Russia is compensating North Korean soldiers with cash, food, and technological resources, marking an unprecedented alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang that goes beyond arms trading. This development has triggered responses from the United States, Ukraine, and other Western nations, as well as concerns about the potential for further escalation in the already fraught geopolitical landscape.
A recent report from The Korea Herald has drawn international attention by citing statements from Wi Sung-lac, a South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee member, suggesting that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, receiving $2,000 each monthly for their service. This payment, if multiplied across the reported troop numbers, suggests a substantial financial commitment from Russia, with payments potentially totaling $200 million annually.
This information was corroborated by the U.S. State Department, whose own intelligence sources estimate that the North Korean troops in Russia are undergoing extensive training in various military capabilities. This includes artillery and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation, as well as basic infantry skills. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the significance of this deployment, marking it as the first instance in over a century that foreign troops have been stationed on Russian soil.
“Make no mistake,” Austin stated in a press release, “if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets.” This statement underscores Washington’s position on the growing threat that North Korea’s involvement poses to regional stability and the potential for escalated conflict.
The South Korean report detailed a strategic barter between Moscow and Pyongyang: in exchange for military support, Russia has offered North Korea food supplies and financial incentives. Citing intelligence briefings, Wi Sung-lac claimed that Moscow has shipped between 50,000 and 100,000 tons of rice to North Korea in the past, though the current arrangement allegedly involves up to 700,000 tons of grain per year—a significant increase that could cover over half of North Korea’s food deficit.
According to Wi, “The four million tons of grains that North Korea says it produces per year are about one million tons short of what it needs to feed the country. If Russia is offering 600,000 to 700,000 tons of rice, that is enough to cover more than half of what North Korea would need to meet the year’s demand.”
The alliance is proving mutually beneficial, particularly for North Korea, which has struggled with food shortages exacerbated by economic sanctions and restricted trade. Russian food and grain assistance could provide much-needed relief for North Korea’s food crisis, as well as political leverage for Kim Jong-un’s administration. Additionally, it suggests a strategic alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang as both countries face economic pressure and diplomatic isolation from the West.
In Ukraine, the deployment of North Korean soldiers has added urgency to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s calls for enhanced support from NATO allies. Addressing Western leaders, Zelenskyy appealed for permission to use long-range weaponry, which could potentially allow Ukraine to strike military training sites within Russia’s borders, including those where North Korean troops are stationed.
Through social media posts and direct appeals, Zelenskyy has implored NATO partners to prevent what he describes as an escalating foreign-backed threat. “Thousands of North Korean soldiers are already near Ukraine’s borders, preparing to fight. And the world is still watching. We know where these North Korean troops are gathering in Russia,” Zelenskyy wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “We could act preemptively if we had the means—long-range capability.”
Zelenskyy’s calls to action emphasize not only Ukraine’s heightened need for defensive resources but also a plea for the strategic freedom to counter Russia’s growing alliances. By securing support from North Korea, Moscow has gained an additional advantage in manpower, allowing it to relieve pressure on its own forces and potentially broaden its operations within Ukraine.
Despite Zelenskyy’s impassioned pleas, Western allies remain cautious about providing long-range missiles for direct strikes within Russian territory, with concerns that such actions could lead to a broader confrontation between NATO and Russia. The U.S. and its allies have expressed apprehension about expanding the conflict by granting Ukraine the capabilities to target installations deep within Russia, as this could be perceived as a declaration of war on NATO’s behalf.
Moreover, officials from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany have indicated that while they understand Ukraine’s need for defensive measures, they fear the implications of providing long-range weaponry. This has led Ukraine to rely more heavily on long-range drones, which it has used to strike Russian military targets, albeit with less precision and impact than missiles would provide.
This reluctance has spurred debate over NATO’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense, with some leaders questioning whether the West’s incremental support is sufficient given the widening scope of Russia’s alliances and resources.
The presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia represents a historical shift, as it marks the first time in over a century that foreign troops have officially been hosted by Moscow. This deployment signals a closer military and political alliance between Russia and North Korea, one that goes beyond the traditional confines of arms sales and into the realm of direct military collaboration.
For North Korea, the strategic alliance provides opportunities for military advancement, as soldiers stationed in Russia receive training in modern combat tactics and access to updated military technology. The shared military exercises, funded by Moscow, enable North Korea to develop artillery and missile capabilities that could enhance its standing in regional conflicts or act as a deterrent against its own adversaries.
The alliance also strengthens Pyongyang’s ability to project military power while avoiding direct confrontation with Western nations. This arrangement serves both Russia and North Korea by consolidating their resistance to Western sanctions and establishing a new axis of cooperation in defiance of international norms.
