In October 2024, the world was shocked when news articles popped up across the internet, claiming North Korea had sent soldiers to fight for Russia in their ongoing invasion of Ukraine. [1]
The move was unprecedented. It was unheard of for a global superpower to bring in foreign troops to fight on its own soil in the 21st century. It was also unheard of, in the nation’s history, for North Korea to send ground forces to fight for a flag that was not their own. While North Korea did send pilots to Vietnam and Egypt in 1973, a mass deployment of their ground troops to another nation has not happened since the Korean War. [2]
While the numbers may vary based on the source, South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources told Reuters that North Korea has sent around 14,000 soldiers to fight for Russia in the Kursk region, 6,000 of which have been killed. [3] These soldiers were first sent to Vladivostok by boat, then transported onward to the front line. [4]
Nearly two years since the first appearance of North Korean soldiers in Kursk, their presence no longer makes headlines. Although the world has moved on from the story, that doesn’t mean it’s over. Evidence points towards the opposite; North Korea has doubled down on their involvement.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang openly acknowledge the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia. [5] While Kim Jong-Un sends more shipments of soldiers, analysts assess that Vladimir Putin passes along sensitive military technology to the hermit nation. [2]
North Korea’s involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine has many broader implications for the national security of Ukraine, NATO, and the international community as a whole. In this mini-series, we will discuss these implications at length.
By staying tuned for the upcoming articles, you will gain a better understanding of the current relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, how that relationship has impacted Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and how it impacts the entire world.
What’s Coming Next
In the next article, we will explore who exactly the North Korean soldiers operating in Russia are. The troops sent can give significant insight into what Russia seeks to gain from their presence, and where Moscow’s weakest links may lay.
The third installment of this series will be an overview of how Russia and North Korea’s militaristic relationship began, how their relationship has evolved over the past eight decades, and the developments that led to North Korea’s direct involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In article four, we will discuss precisely what Moscow and Pyongyang both gain from the partnership. While there are many tangible benefits to their pact, the most impactful are often the least understood.
Article five will lay out all of the legal (and illegal) precedents for the two nations’ relationship. This includes examples from international law, bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea, and the significance of North Koreans strictly remaining on the Russian side of the front line.
In article six, we will discuss how the arrival of North Korean troops gave Russia an advantage they otherwise wouldn’t have had, and how that advantage has impacted Ukrainian soldiers.
Article seven will showcase how the arrival of North Korean troops bolstered international support for Ukraine.
As a follow-up to article seven, article eight will highlight the unique relationship between Ukraine and South Korea that has formed in response to North Korea’s activities in Russia.
In article nine, we zoom the lens in on North Korea’s domestic issues to understand how much choice soldiers had in being sent to Russia, with emphasis on national conscription and limited freedoms for citizens.
Article 10 will be an overview of what North Korean prisoners of war can tell us about their time in Russia; including how Kim Jong-Un has justified the deployment to the North Korean public.
The final article in this series will seek to evaluate the future of Russia and North Korea’s relationship using the most reliable and up to date intelligence available. Additionally, this article will highlight a more general state of affairs for the two nations: the exchanges outside of military relations that they continue to uphold and which have increased over time.
We hope that in publishing this series, we can draw attention back to a massive and ongoing development in the war that continues to pose a threat to Ukraine over two years after the initial headlines emerged.
North Korea’s involvement with Russia is not over. As coverage on the topic has plummeted, we risk normalizing the illegal behaviors of Moscow. By moving on to the next big stories, Moscow can assume the global community no longer cares about their illegal actions.
Without careful eyes examining the actions of North Korean troops in Russia, it is possible Moscow will get comfortable violating even more international laws to further their agenda against Ukraine’s sovereignty. This series seeks to be a one-stop-shop for readers to remain up to date on Moscow’s relationship with Pyongyang.
Sources
[1] Kyiv Independent. (2024, October 24). Ukraine war latest: First North Korean troops arrive in Kursk Oblast to participate in Russia’s war against Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-first-north-korean-troops-arrive-in-kursk-oblast-to-participate-in-russias-war-against-ukraine/
[2] Kim, H. & Kim, T. (2024, October 18). South Korean intelligence says North has sent troops to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-ukraine-war-troops-south-spy-9cd563c5570f68e9b314976009682810
[3] Lachter, E. (2025, November 14). Kim Jong-un sends troops to Russia to clear deadly minefields for Putin’s war. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/world/kim-jong-un-sends-troops-russia-clear-deadly-minefields-putins-war
[4] Kim, H. (2024, October 23). US confirms North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia for training and possible Ukraine combat. KCRA. https://www.kcra.com/article/north-korea-sends-troops-to-russia/62691894
[5] The Associated Press. (2025, April 28). North Korea confirms it sent troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. National Public Radio. https://www.npr.org/2025/04/28/nx-s1-5379436/north-korea-russia-ukraine-troops-putin-kim