Mark Rutte. Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sending North Korean soldiers to participate in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia will be a “significant escalation” of the conflict. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday, Ukrainian Pravda reports.
“I discussed with South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol the close partnership between NATO and Seoul, including defence industry cooperation and interconnected security between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions,” Rutte said at Platform X.
He also emphasised: “North Korea sending troops to support Russia in Ukraine would be a significant escalation of the conflict.”
According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea plans to send up to 12,000 troops to help Russia. About 1,500 special forces are already in Russia for adaptation and may soon be deployed to the Ukrainian front.
Asked about the situation on Friday, Rutte said that NATO could not confirm the sending of troops by North Korea at this time, but added: “This could change.”
Recently, against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between Pyongyang and Seoul, the nuclear-armed North Korea has become even closer to Russia. The alliance between the two countries, which dates back to the post-World War II era, continues to strengthen.
The United States and South Korea have long claimed that DPRK leader Kim Jong-un is supplying Russia with weapons used at the frontline in Ukraine.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to Pyongyang, where a mutual defence agreement was signed, the details of which were not disclosed. This has fuelled speculation about possible new arms transfers, which are in violation of UN sanctions against both countries.
