Claim by Head of NGO Supporting Ukraine
"They Say a Total of 88,000 Troops Will Be Deployed"
There is growing interest in claims that North Korean troops were deployed in the first battle of the Russia-Ukraine war, with most reportedly killed in their initial engagement.
Jonas Oman, head of the Lithuania-based NGO 'Blue Yellow,' which has supported Ukrainian forces since 2014, gave an interview to the local public broadcaster 'LRT' on the 28th (local time). In the interview, Oman claimed that North Korean troops had already been deployed in combat and were virtually annihilated by Ukrainian forces in their first engagement.
He also presented a photo of a North Korean flag as evidence of North Korean troops' involvement in the war. The flag in the photo appears to have been captured by Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield. Earlier, local Ukrainian media also reported sightings of the North Korean flag on some frontlines.
Regarding this, Oman stated, "I received signs of North Korean soldiers being deployed six months ago," adding, "At that time, North Korean troops were training in Belarus alongside Belarusian units." Belarus is a country under long-term dictatorship by President Alexander Lukashenko, a pro-Russian political ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He further added, "One North Korean died a few months ago in Ukraine (due to a drone attack)," noting, "You can identify them as North Korean by their military uniforms." Although he did not provide specific numbers of North Korean troops sent to Russia, he said, "There were reports of 15,000, then 11,000 to 12,000," and emphasized, "As far as I know now, North Korea plans to send a total of 88,000 troops. This is intelligence information, not just rumors heard on the street."
A recent video of a Russian soldier obtained from platforms such as 'Telegram.' It is presumed that he is learning Munhwaeo to give instructions to North Korean soldiers based on the circumstances. [Image source='Classy Report' X account]
Oman warned that although most North Korean troops were wiped out in their first engagement, this could be a 'decoy.' He said, "Ukrainian special forces have moved to Kursk, where North Korean troops are reportedly deployed, and will try to persuade them with promises of good treatment if they surrender," adding, "Kursk is likely just an experiment, and I believe the North Korean troops were used as bait."
He continued, "If the Russian military deems it successful, North Korean troops might be organized separately from Russian forces at the company or battalion level," and warned, "There are very ominous talks that Russia, no longer fearing a world war, is involving North Korea."
While North Korean troops are effectively being used as cannon fodder for Russia in the war, the North Korean side, having dispatched soldiers, may also gain access to advanced technology necessary for nuclear armament. Oman said, "The best-case scenario for North Korea is receiving nuclear technology in exchange," adding, "This war is a gold mine for North Korea. They provide shells and receive resources and money."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
