UN Opposes Additional Military Deployment by North Korea in Russia's Ukraine War

Putin says "It's something we will handle ourselves"

The United Nations stated on the 24th (local time) that it "opposes the addition of military forces on either side in the Ukraine conflict" regarding North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed this position during a regular briefing held at the UN Headquarters in New York on the same day.

He also reiterated the fundamental stance that whether North Korea's troop deployment to Russia constitutes a violation of sanctions against North Korea should be determined by the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Deputy Spokesperson Haq said, "Whether (Russia and North Korea) have violated the Security Council's sanctions resolutions on North Korea is something that the Security Council's Sanctions Committee on North Korea should review and respond to," adding, "This matter is in their hands."

He had previously stated on the 21st, "The Security Council Sanctions Committee is monitoring sanctions on North Korea," and "If there are violations of sanctions, they will make the decision."

Our government holds the position that North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia, which invaded Ukraine, constitutes a serious security threat to the international community and violates the Security Council resolutions that prohibit all military cooperation with North Korea. However, since Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and a party to the war, if it exercises its veto power, additional Security Council sanctions against North Korea are impossible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned North Korea's troop deployment for the first time on the same day. At a press conference concluding the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, he responded to a question from a U.S. journalist about satellite images supporting North Korea's deployment by saying, "What we do with North Korea and how is our business."

The U.S. White House officially confirmed North Korea's troop deployment to Russia the previous day. John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Coordinator, stated, "We believe that North Korea moved at least 3,000 soldiers to eastern Russia in early to mid-October," adding, "After completing training, North Korean troops could move to western Russia and engage with Ukrainian forces."