The North Korean flag in Ukraine has garnered quite a lot of attention globally. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, North Korea has joined the war against Ukraine in addition to Russia. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has also notified that 1500 Elite North Korean soldiers have entered into Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok to join Moscow’s in the war against Ukraine, and there is high probability that many more thousands will follow.
North Korea denies alliance
Let us tell you that this is a history in itself because it’s been decades that such a large deployment has been made by North Korean forces in another country. Although, the North Korean flag was seen along with the Russian flag in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, one of North Korea’s UN representatives on Oct 21 gave a contrast statement that the NIS’s reports were “groundless rumour”, and that their intention is to “smear” North Korea’s image and undermining its relations with Moscow. This has indirectly sparked a war of debate between North Korea and South Korea who have long been in an ongoing war.
According to the NIS, the troops that have been sent are a part of an anticipated 12,000-strong force that may enter Ukraine, probably in logistical and engineering roles near the frontlines. Analyst Cranny-Evans from the Royal United Services Institute, has stated that these troops could further boost Russian forces by freeing up Kremlin soldiers for combat, or they could simply rotate through training programs to gain combat experience. The inclusion of North Korean forces comes at a time when Russia is facing some problems in the battlefield. It is estimated that the Russian forces are losing around 1200 soldiers each day in the ongoing war. This might fasten the integration of Korean soldiers into the conflict.
Alliance benefits both Russia and North Korea
As per reports, by joining hands both the countries will benefit in several aspects including in the military and politically. The military cooperation is seen as a part of a broader geopolitical alignment between the nations who want to challenge the Western Nations. Russia wants to oppose the Western Nations as it is supporting Ukraine. Whereas, the alliance is seen as an important step for North Korea to be in the limelight on a global level. As Pyongyang aligns itself with Moscow and Beijing, it signifies further deepening ties within the “Axis of Upheaval” which is a loose grouping of states, including China and Iran, who collectively oppose Western military dominance.