Japan also confirms 'North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia'... "Deeply concerned, monitoring the situation"

Concerns Over North Korean Military Gaining Combat Experience

According to Kyodo News on the 25th, the Japanese government has officially confirmed North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia.

According to the report, Japanese Defense Minister Kenta Nakata announced at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting that day, "As a result of collecting and analyzing related information in cooperation with the United States and others, it has been confirmed that North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to eastern Russia and are undergoing training."

Hayashi Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, also stated at a regular press conference, "We are seriously concerned and closely monitoring North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia," adding, "There is also a possibility that the North Korean military may participate in Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Minister Hayashi criticized, saying, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an outrage that shakes the foundation of the international order," and "The recent series of military movements by North Korea and Russia not only worsen the situation in Ukraine but are also deeply concerning from the perspective of regional security surrounding Japan." He added, "We will closely cooperate with the international community to ensure the full implementation of Security Council resolutions and to realize a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible."

Earlier, intelligence agencies from South Korea, including the National Intelligence Service, the United States, and Ukraine confirmed that North Korea is dispatching a large-scale military force to support Russia's war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin also did not deny the deployment report, stating the previous day, "What to do with North Korea and how is our business."

Local media and experts express concern about the impact of North Korea's troop deployment on East Asian security. The Asahi Shimbun predicted, "If the capabilities of the North Korean military are strengthened, the threat to neighboring Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan will increase." It pointed out that the North Korean military could gain real combat experience through this deployment. Professor Tetsuo Gotani of Meikai University noted, "This means that North Korea and Russia have become almost allies," and emphasized that in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, not only China but also Russian troops should be considered as potential interveners.