Ukrainian Expert: North Korea's involvement mainly threatens United States, South Korea and Japan

Recent reports indicate that North Korea has dispatched its first group of soldiers to Russia, potentially to aid in the war against Ukraine. The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) estimates that up to 12,000 North Korean troops may participate, trained in Russian military facilities and stationed in the Far East.

While military experts express doubts about the effectiveness of these North Korean soldiers due to language barriers and lack of combat experience, their presence poses more of a risk to South Korea, Japan, and the United States than to Ukraine. The North Korean officers are primarily sent to gain battlefield experience, which could be used to prepare their military for future conflicts on the Korean Peninsula.

Ukrainian military expert Roman Svitan states in Estonian news portal Delfi that, although North Korean soldiers currently do not represent a significant threat to Ukraine, the situation offers Ukraine a chance to leverage the information about North Korea's involvement to strengthen ties with allies like South Korea and Japan. These nations could provide crucial military support in response to North Korea’s actions. In conclusion, while Ukraine prepares for potential risks, the immediate threat lies in the implications of North Korea's involvement for regional security in East Asia.