Seoul – Tensions are rising as South Korean lawmakers revealed on Thursday that North Korea might send even more troops to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine as early as July or August. This assessment comes directly from South Korea’s intelligence agency, which has been closely monitoring developments between Pyongyang and Moscow.
According to Lee Seong-kweun, a South Korean lawmaker who attended the closed-door intelligence briefing, Russia could be preparing for a massive offensive against Ukraine during the coming months. North Korea, in turn, appears to be gearing up for another wave of troop deployments.
“The timeline for this new troop dispatch could start as early as next month,” Lee told reporters. “The decision seems linked to recent activities, including a gathering of troops in North Korea and a visit to Pyongyang by a senior Russian security official.”
This is not just about manpower. North Korea has reportedly been supplying artillery shells and missiles to Moscow, and in exchange, it’s believed to be receiving high-level military support—especially in areas like satellite technology and missile guidance.
After remaining quiet for some time, both Pyongyang and Moscow have now acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russian territories, particularly in the contested Kursk region. Their involvement marks a significant deepening of military cooperation between the two countries.
This cooperation stems from a treaty signed by their leaders in June last year—a pact that includes mutual defense commitments, signaling a new level of alliance during one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the human toll continues to rise. Now, with fresh reports of expanded involvement from North Korea, the stakes—and the fears—are escalating once again.
