Handonghun: "Deployment to North Korea Confirms North Korea-Russia Military Alliance... Clear Threat"

"Possibility of Providing Technology Such as Nuclear Submarines as Compensation"
Prediction Emerges of North Korea Deploying 12,000 Troops to Russia

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 18th that North Korea's confirmed large-scale troop deployment to Russia is a "clear threat to the Republic of Korea and the international community."

On the same day, Han said on Facebook, "With North Korea's participation in the war, it has been confirmed that North Korea and Russia have a definite 'military alliance,'" adding, "There is also a possibility that, as a countermeasure to North Korea's participation, Russia may provide key core technologies such as nuclear submarine construction, ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) reentry technology, and surface-to-air missiles."

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a welcome speech at the nationwide metropolitan councilors training event held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He continued, "Our government, which has been closely monitoring North Korea's troop deployment to Russia from the beginning, will actively take necessary measures in cooperation with allied countries," and raised his voice, saying, "I support our government's response and measures and strongly condemn North Korea for threatening peace."

Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Service (hereinafter 'NIS') announced on the 18th, "We detected North Korea transporting special forces and others to the Russian region via Russian Navy transport ships from the 8th to the 13th," confirming "the commencement of North Korean military participation." In this regard, it is predicted that North Korea will dispatch a force of about 12,000 troops from four brigades belonging to the elite special operations unit, the 11th Corps, also known as the Storm Corps, to the Ukraine war. The NIS reported that 1,500 North Korean soldiers have already moved in the first phase to Vladivostok, Russia, using four landing ships and three escort ships belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet from areas near Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan, and it is expected that a second transport operation will take place soon.

The National Intelligence Service revealed that North Korea began moving special forces troops for deployment to Russia starting from the 8th, and on the 18th, it released related materials including satellite images.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

This troop deployment is understood to be based on the military intervention clause contained in the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" signed by North Korea and Russia in June. Article 4 of this treaty stipulates that if either North Korea or Russia enters a state of war, the other country shall provide military and other assistance using all means at its disposal in accordance with the UN Charter and the domestic laws of both countries. The entry of the Russian naval fleet into North Korean waters is the first since 1990, and large transport aircraft, including the Russian Air Force's AN-124, are also frequently flying between Vladivostok and Pyongyang.

North Korean troops deployed to Russia are currently stationed at Russian military units dispersed across the Far East regions of Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk. They are expected to be deployed to the front lines once they complete adaptation training.