Seoul monitors potential North Korean involvement in Ukraine combat No full-scale fighting yet

South Korea has not yet witnessed "full-fledged combat" involving North Korean troops in Ukraine, according to an unnamed high-ranking official from the South Korean presidential office.

The official stated that while North Korean personnel have been deployed to Russia, particularly to the western front, no large-scale fighting has been spotted, Caliber.Az reports citing Korean media.

The South Korean government has not ruled out the possibility of sending a monitoring mission to Ukraine should a full-scale confrontation with North Korean forces occur, but emphasized that such fighting has not yet been recorded.

"Many North Korean troops sent to Russia have been moved to the western front, but full-scale combat has not started," the official remarked.

The official further highlighted that if a major conflict involving North Korean and Russian forces does erupt, South Korea would respond depending on its own security needs.

Earlier, US Department of Defense officials revealed that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed in Russia's Kursk region, though there is no confirmation yet regarding their active involvement in combat. On November 6, 2024, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder provided updated intelligence, suggesting that the total number of DPRK troops in Russia could be between 11,000 and 12,000, with around 10,000 positioned in the Kursk area.

Ryder confirmed that North Korean forces are receiving Russian military uniforms and equipment and are likely being prepared for some form of combat or combat support role. However, it remains unclear whether these troops are integrated into Russian units or operating as independent formations.

This development follows reports from South Korea's Ministry of Defense on November 5, 2024, confirming the presence of over 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with many of them deployed near the frontlines in Kursk. South Korea's Defense Ministry has expressed concerns about the potential for these forces to join Russian combat operations near the Ukrainian border.

"We understand that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, and a significant number are now stationed at the frontlines, including in Kursk," stated Jeon Ha-kyou, a spokesperson for South Korea's Defense Ministry, noting that intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the evolving situation.

By Tamilla Hasanova