North Korea Prepares to Send More Troops to Russia Amid Casualties in Ukraine

South Korea’s military suspects North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia after suffering heavy casualties in Ukraine. Meanwhile, tensions rise as North Korea continues missile testing preparations. The potential return of Trump to the presidency could impact diplomatic relations between the U.S. and North Korea, with implications for denuclearization discussions.

South Korea’s military reported that North Korea is likely preparing to deploy more troops to Russia after experiencing substantial casualties among its soldiers in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated in a recent report that North Korea is also continuing preparations to test an intercontinental ballistic missile aimed at reaching the United States.

The return of former President Donald Trump to the White House may provide North Korea with renewed opportunities for diplomatic engagement with Washington. During his first term, Trump met with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un on three occasions. Analysts believe that Kim perceives enhanced leverage in negotiations due to his advancing nuclear program and burgeoning military collaborations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This military collaboration includes North Korea supplying significant quantities of artillery and conventional weaponry to Russia. Reports indicate that approximately 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia last October. Intelligence concerns persist regarding the possibility of Russia providing North Korea with advanced weapon technologies beneficial for its nuclear ambitions.

Although North Korean troops exhibit discipline and training, their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain of the Russian-Ukrainian battlefields have resulted in high casualty rates from drone and artillery fire. Recent assessments by South Korean intelligence suggest that around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 injured, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously estimated casualties at about 4,000.

The South Korean military has noted that North Korea is reportedly accelerating its troop deployment preparations to Russia. Increased military ties between North Korea and Russia may embolden Kim in negotiations with the United States and South Korea. Recently, Kim reiterated a commitment to a stringent anti-U.S. policy but may still seek dialogue with Trump if he believes negotiations could yield favorable concessions.

Previous negotiations between Kim and Trump collapsed after disputes over nuclear disarmament terms; Kim had sought the lifting of extensive sanctions in exchange for limited denuclearization. In contrast, Kim has intensified weapons testing aimed at bolstering his arsenal targeting both the United States and South Korea.

Concerns have arisen in South Korea that Trump might prioritize eliminating North Korea’s long-range missile capabilities while potentially relaxing its nuclear disarmament goals. During a recent Fox News interview, Trump characterized Kim as “a smart guy” and affirmed that he expects to engage with him again. On another occasion, he acknowledged North Korea as a “nuclear power,” which alarmed Korean officials due to ongoing tensions surrounding denuclearization.

Jeon Ha Gyu, spokesperson for South Korea’s Defense Ministry, emphasized that continued efforts toward North Korea’s denuclearization are essential for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and globally. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated it intends to work closely with any forthcoming Trump administration to achieve the same goal. However, North Korea has not publicly responded to Trump’s statements, and recent state media reports did not address U.S. or South Korean policy matters.

In summary, South Korea’s military has indicated that North Korea is likely to reinforce its troop presence in Russia following significant combat losses, while also progressing on its missile testing ambitions. Furthermore, Trump’s potential return to power may shift the dynamics of U.S.-North Korea diplomacy, potentially favoring Kim’s agenda. Ongoing concerns within South Korea regarding North Korean capabilities and the prospect of future negotiations underscore the complexities of this international issue.

Original Source: www.nbcnews.com