Despite North Korea's Denial, the Ingan-gi Flutters on the Russian Front

North Korean Mission to the UN: "Baseless Rumors of Troop Deployment"
North Korean Flag Raised in Ukraine's Battle Zones

The North Korean Mission to the United Nations on the 21st (local time) denied South Korea's government announcement and media reports that North Korea is sending troops to assist Russia in the Ukraine war, calling them "baseless rumors."

A North Korean diplomat from the Permanent Mission to the UN on the 21st (local time) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, during the 1st Committee (Disarmament and International Security) meeting of the UN General Assembly, obtained the right to respond and stated, "Our mission does not feel the need to address the baseless and obvious rumors that aim to undermine the legitimate and friendly cooperative relations between sovereign states and tarnish our national image regarding the so-called military cooperation with Russia." 2024.10.22 [Captured from UN Web TV screen] [Image source=Yonhap News]

While North Korea denies dispatching troops to Russia's war in Ukraine, a photo showing the North Korean flag alongside the Russian flag on the battlefield in Ukraine has been posted on social media, drawing attention.

A representative from the North Korean Mission to the UN, during the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) meeting of the UN General Assembly held at the UN Headquarters in New York on the 21st (local time), obtained the right to respond and said, "Regarding the so-called military cooperation with Russia, our mission does not feel the need to comment on baseless and obvious rumors that seek to undermine the legitimate and friendly cooperative relations between sovereign states and tarnish our national image."

This statement from the North Korean Mission official came as a response to remarks by a Ukrainian government representative who said North Korea is trading weapons with Russia and is expected to dispatch a large number of troops to Russia soon. Until now, North Korea has consistently remained silent about South Korea's government announcements and media reports that it is sending troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine. Therefore, this mention by the North Korean Mission to the UN is the first reaction from North Korean authorities regarding the dispatch of troops.

Despite North Korea's objections, evidence of troop deployment continues to emerge. The pro-Russian Telegram account "Z Operation - Military Correspondent of the Russian Spring" shared a photo on the 21st showing the North Korean and Russian flags raised together, stating, "The North Korean flag was recently hoisted over the mine tailings near the Pokrovsk front in Tsukuryino, which was recently liberated." The Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Province, where the flag was raised, is believed to be an area where North Korean troops have already been dispatched and are active.

The Ukrainian media outlet Kyiv Post reported earlier this month that six North Korean officers were killed near Donetsk in a missile attack by Ukrainian forces, and the National Intelligence Service released a photo on the 18th showing individuals presumed to be North Korean troops alongside Russian forces near Donetsk.