Pyongyang first recognized the sending of troops to help Russia in his war against Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the Troops of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (RPDC) for his role in the reconquest of the Kursk region of the Ukrainian forces, while RPDC officially confirmed its military detachment in support of Russia. Coordinated statements highlight the growing military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang.
In statements released by Kremlin, Putin praised the units of the Korean Popular Army (KPA) for fighting “shoulder to shoulder with Russian combatants” in defense of the Russian region of Kursk. “The Russian people will never forget the heroism of the RPDC Special Forces,” Putin expressed, promising to honor the sacrifices of the Korean soldiers who fought alongside the Russian troops.
RPDC leader Kim Jong Un also celebrated the detachment, announcing that a monument in honor of the “combat achievements” of Korean soldiers will be erected soon in Pyongyang. The Central Military Commission of the RPDC Workers Party (WPK) stated that the detachment was made in accordance with Article 4 of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea, signed in June 2024.
Article 4 states that, in the event of an armed attack on one party, the other party will immediately provide military assistance and otherwise by all means at its disposal.
Since the beginning of the war between Ukraine and Russia in March 2022, Russian forces have captured and attached large amounts of Ukrainian territory, including the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizehzia.
On August 6, 2024, the Ukrainian military launched a raid in the Russian region of Kursk, capturing 1,000 kilometers of Russian territory.
This marks Pyongyang’s first official recognition of sending forces abroad since the Korea War in the 1950s. The RPDC state news agency reported that its troops “helped free” Kursk and successfully defeated Ukrainian “neo -Nazi occupants”.
According to US intelligence sources, South Korea and Ukraine, the RPDC initially sent about 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers to Russia in the past autumn, with additional reinforcements coming this year.
A Reuters investigation claimed that RPDC has provided Russia at least four million artillery projectiles in the last 20 months for use in Ukraine.
The US State Department declared on Monday that it is “concerned” about Pyongyang’s “direct involvement” in the war.
In an email, a department spokesman said that “the military mobilization for Russia and any support provided by the Russian Federation [à Coreia do Norte] in return must end ”.
South Korea vehemently condemned the intervention of the RPDC, calling it “serious provocation” and requiring immediate withdrawal from Pyongyang forces from Russian territory.
Analysts suggest that Pyongyang’s involvement is motivated by his desire to receive advanced Russian military technologies, including capabilities that could reinforce his nuclear weapons program.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia could provide military assistance to RPDC under the terms of the defense treaty if necessary.
In related events, the White House is considering options to potentially restart dialogue with RPDC, according to a high US employee and three additional sources speaking to axios.
Trump made it clear that he would like to resume contact with Kim Jong Un-perhaps even personally-and his national security team is preparing for this scenario, the US news agency said on Monday.
“We are calling agencies to understand the current situation of North Koreans. Many has changed in the last four years. We are evaluating, diagnosing and discussing possible ways, including engagement,” said the top American employee.
Originally published by The Cradle on 28/04/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/04/28/putin-agradece-as-tropas-norte-coreanas-pela-assistencia-na-retomada-de-kursk-da-ucrania/
