North Korea has firmly denied reports that it is sending soldiers to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, calling such claims “groundless rumors.” This statement, reported by South Korean news agency Yonhap on October 22, comes after both Kyiv and Seoul suggested that Pyongyang was preparing to send up to 10,000 troops to join Russian forces.
Speaking at a United Nations meeting, a North Korean representative dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that the relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow is “legitimate, friendly, and cooperative.” The official added that there was no need to comment on what he called “stereotyped rumors” aimed at tarnishing North Korea’s image.
These rumors come as Ukraine’s military intelligence and President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that North Korea is preparing to deploy thousands of soldiers to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, where they would be ready to fight by November. Despite mounting reports, including a video allegedly showing North Korean soldiers in training, both North Korea and Russia have stopped short of confirming the claims.
As Moscow seeks more military support in its ongoing war against Ukraine, the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea have raised concerns, especially with Pyongyang’s supply of ballistic missiles and artillery shells to Russia.
