Zelenskyy calls for global response to North Korean troop involvement in Ukraine conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged a decisive international response following reports of North Korea sending troops and military equipment to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Speaking during his nightly address on Sunday, Zelenskyy stated, “We expect a normal, honest, strong reaction from our partners,” as satellite evidence pointed to North Korean soldiers being deployed in Russian-occupied territories.

The call for action follows revelations from South Korea’s intelligence agency, which reported that 1,500 North Korean special forces troops had been sent to Russia’s Far East for training. The agency also estimated that up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers could be deployed in Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

“If the world remains silent now and we have to engage soldiers from North Korea on the front line in the same way we have to defend ourselves from [Iranian] Shahed drones, this will certainly benefit no one in the world and only prolong the war,” Zelenskyy warned.

While the United States and NATO have not confirmed these reports, Zelenskyy pointed to mounting evidence, including satellite images and intelligence from Ukraine and South Korea. The situation has sparked concern about the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia, with military cooperation possibly expanding in exchange for advanced weaponry and economic aid.

South Korea’s government is closely monitoring the troop movements, while France and Ukraine’s foreign ministers labeled North Korean involvement a serious escalation. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed these concerns, saying it would be troubling if the reports are true.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly highlighted Russia’s reliance on foreign forces, suggesting that Moscow is turning to North Korea as it struggles with manpower shortages. Ukrainian estimates place Russian casualties at nearly 680,000 since the war began in February 2022, as Russia faces increasing pressure to sustain its military campaign.

With Russia and North Korea formalizing their relationship through a newly proposed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the global implications of this deepening alliance are growing. As Zelenskyy warned, North Korea’s role in the conflict could fuel greater instability and threaten security far beyond Ukraine’s borders.