North Korea Confirms Sending Troops to Russia, Claims Action is Legally Compliant
Seoul, South Korea – In a statement that amounts to a confirmation of previousreports, North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister for Russian Affairs, Kim Jong-kyu, has declared that any potential deployment of North Korean troops to Russia would be in accordance with international legal norms. This statement, reported by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 25th, comes amidst growinginternational concern over North Korea’s potential involvement in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
The statement, delivered in response to questions from KCNA reporters, acknowledges the possibility of North Korean troops being deployed to Russia while simultaneously deflecting accusations of illegality.Kim Jong-kyu asserted that certain forces might attempt to portray such an action as unlawful, but the Foreign Ministry does not directly intervene in the Ministry of National Defense’s operations and sees no need to confirm or deny the reports.
This marks the first official statement from North Korea directly addressing the issue of troops being sent to Russia. Earlier this month, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed that North Korea had decided to send troops to Russia and that over 1,500 North Korean soldiers were already undergoing training in the Russian Far East. On October 23rd, the NIS further reported that another 1,500 North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, with the total number expected to reach 10,000 by the end of the year.
The potential deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has raised significant concerns within the international community. The move could further escalate the conflict in Ukraine and potentially lead to a wider regional conflict. Additionally, it raises questions about North Korea’s motivations and its willingness to engage in international conflicts beyond its own borders.
While North Korea has claimed that any troop deployment would be legal, international law experts have expressed skepticism. The UNCharter prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and any deployment of North Korean troops to Russia would likely violate this principle.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days and weeks. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties to exercise restraint andengage in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
References:
- Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) (2024, October 25). North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister for Russian Affairs, Kim Jong-kyu, Makes Statement on Potential Troop Deployment to Russia. Retrieved from [KCNA website URL]
- Yonhap News Agency (2024, October 18). South Korea’s NIS Reports North Korea Deciding to Send Troops to Russia. Retrieved from [Yonhap News Agency website URL]
- Yonhap News Agency (2024, October 23). NIS Reports Additional North Korean Troops Arriving in Russia. Retrieved from [Yonhap News Agency website URL]
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