S. Korea Prepares Phased Response as North Korean Troops Engage in Russian Combat Operations

On Wednesday, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed that North Korean troops deployed to Russia are already engaged in combat operations, prompting speculation about the U.S. government’s potential response.

The NIS reported that North Korean forces sent to Russia have relocated to the Kursk region over the past two weeks and completed their deployment to the battlefield. They are gathering and analyzing additional intelligence on the situation.

While the South Korean Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially maintained a cautious stance, closely monitoring the possibility of North Korean troop involvement, the NIS has now officially confirmed these reports.

U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel confirmed the information on Tuesday, stating, “Today I can confirm that over 10,000 DPRK soldiers … have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces.”

With both U.S. and South Korean authorities now confirming North Korean troops’ direct combat participation, discussions regarding potential U.S. government responses are expected to intensify.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, emphasized the U.S.’s firm commitment to addressing the situation. However, whether the U.S. will provide additional military aid to Ukraine remains unclear. Despite initially acknowledging North Korean troop deployments ahead of the U.S., recent developments indicate a more cautious approach from Washington.

Some analysts speculate that former President Donald Trump’s calls for a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict may influence this shift in policy, especially with his upcoming presidential transition.

South Korean government announced phased response measures on October 22 to the military cooperation between North Korea and October 22. A State Department official recently stated that the country would coordinate with the international community to take the necessary steps.

A senior State Department official also mentioned during a press briefing that there would be policy coordination between the U.S. and South Korea during the transition process of the new administration regarding military support for Ukraine.