South Korean Ambassador to Ukraine: "Clashes with North Korean Troops... 11,000 Deployed in Kursk"

Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea: "Clashes with North Korean Troops Already Occurred"
"Control Management Center Established by North Korean Officers"
"11,000 North Korean Troops Deployed in Kursk Region"

Dmytro Ponomarenko, the Ukrainian ambassador to South Korea, revealed that a control management center has been established in the Kursk region of Russia to manage deployed troops, including preventing defections of North Korean soldiers.

In a recent interview with Voice of America (VOA), Ambassador Ponomarenko was asked about newly identified information following North Korean troops' combat participation. He said, "Clashes with North Korean troops have already occurred, and I am sharing with you for the first time that a North Korean control management center is being established in the Kursk region."

According to Ambassador Ponomarenko, the 'North Korean Control Management Center' is composed of North Korean military officers and currently includes seven generals: three staff officers and four brigade commanders. Although the specific role of the North Korean control management center was not detailed in the interview, it is known to manage deployed troops, including preventing defections.

Ambassador Ponomarenko explained, "The 93rd Special Forces Brigade of the North Korean army is deployed 1.5 km east of the village of Rechitsa in Kursk Oblast. It consists of the 1st and 3rd battalions and a total of 876 soldiers, including 72 officers in the command headquarters." He added, "There are already 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, and the number is expected to increase to 15,000."

Ambassador Ponomarenko predicted that North Korean troop participation would not have a significant impact on the war. He said, "The involvement of North Korean troops will not fundamentally affect the war, but it will certainly be a burden for the Ukrainian forces." He further expressed concern, stating, "With 10,000 to 15,000 North Korean soldiers deployed in Kursk and the occupied areas of Donetsk, and with rotations every 2 to 3 months, up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers experienced in modern warfare could be deployed annually."

Ambassador Ponomarenko also stated, "In the near future, a Ukrainian government delegation will meet with South Korean officials." According to him, the Ukrainian government is currently requesting South Korea to provide missile defense systems, radar, and equipment to defend against missile and drone attacks.

Meanwhile, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Disinformation Center (CDC) under the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, explained in an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA) that the currently deployed North Korean troops "are operating drones and receiving training to handle mortars," and "they are not participating as assault infantry."