The chilling prospect of North Korean troops joining the Russian special military operation in Ukraine has risen tremendously following North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's signing of a mutual defense pact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin and Kim signed the treaty during the former's two-day state visit to North Korea, which was marked by enthusiastic reception from tens of thousands of North Korean well-wishers. The two leaders embraced and shared "pent-up innermost thoughts" during their drive to the Kumsusan state guest house, according to North Korean state media. (Related: North Korea, Russia vow to form NEW WORLD ORDER free of U.S. domination)
Footage of Putin's welcome ceremony showed an honor guard and civilians gathered in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, waving balloons and displaying portraits of the leaders and their national flags. Streets were adorned with images of Putin, and the unfinished Ryugyong Hotel bore the message: "Welcome Putin."
Analysts agree that the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia's front lines could significantly bolster the Kremlin's position in the conflict. North Korea is also expected to supply Russia with an additional five million rounds of ammunition, having already provided as much in recent months.
Former British Army intelligence expert Philip Ingram commented, "I do think North Korea probably will supply troops as part of the new defense pact. This is very worrying. They will add numbers, but how adaptable they will prove on the battlefield remains to be seen. Russia's tactics have been so primitive, sacrificing vast numbers of soldiers in the so-called 'meat grinder.' The Kremlin is probably more interested in quantity of personnel rather than quality."
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Ex-British Army commander Col. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon suggested that Kim might exchange soldiers for nuclear technology.
"It would show how absolutely desperate they both are; Putin for troops and Kim for knowledge," he said.
The North Korean armed forces, known as the Korean People's Army, is one of the largest active militaries in the world, believed to have up to 1.3 million active-duty personnel, most of whom are engaged in the country's operations in its decades-long stand-off with South Korea.
Putin considering sending weapons to North Korea
The pact between Putin and Kim includes a joint obligation to intervene on each other's behalf in any conflict, potentially leading Russia to support North Korea against South Korea.
Putin himself has suggested that Russia might supply weapons to North Korea in response to Western countries arming Ukraine.
Speaking in Vietnam, following his visit to North Korea, Putin indicated that North Korea could receive Russian arms as a countermeasure.
North Korea has few reliable trading partners due to its Western-enforced isolation following its establishment of ballistic and nuclear missile programs, which are in violation of United Nations sanctions. The growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have raised concerns among Western nations.
In speaking about the treaty to reporters in Vietnam, Putin stated that there currently is no need for North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. However, he emphasized that the increasing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow was intended to be a deterrent against the Western world.
Despite denials, the United States and Ukraine claim North Korea has already provided Russia with ballistic missiles and millions of artillery shells. Putin also warned South Korea against supplying arms to Ukraine, threatening a "painful" response if they did.
There is debate over the strength of the Russia-North Korea pact. Some analysts view it as a symbolic gesture rather than a full restoration of their Cold War-era alliance.
Ankit Panda from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that the agreement seems carefully worded to avoid implying automatic military intervention. But "the big picture here is that both sides are willing to put down on paper, and show the world, just how widely they intend to expand the scope of their cooperation.
Watch this report from "Borzikman" discussing how North Korean soldiers may be preparing to join the frontlines in Ukraine.
This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.
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