The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea reported that North Korean troops and high-ranking officials deployed in Russia may be moving to the front lines in Ukraine. According to the South Korean agency Yonhap and the NIS, troop transfers between North Korea and Russia are underway, and the possibility of high-ranking personnel heading to the front line is being studied.
The NIS indicated that the Russian army is teaching the North Koreans Russian terms, which could lead to communication problems. Additionally, they mentioned that a key Russian security official was present on a flight between Moscow and Pyongyang to coordinate the dispatch of North Korean troops.
These revelations come after the Pentagon stated that about 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent by train to eastern Russia and may reinforce Russian forces near Ukraine in the coming weeks. North Korea and Russia signed a partnership treaty with a mutual defense clause.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui made an official visit to Russia, suggesting a possible upcoming visit by Kim to Moscow. The Pentagon expressed concern about the proximity of certain soldiers to Ukraine and the possibility of their use in combat operations.
North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military cooperation, and in June, Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin held a summit in Pyongyang.
