North Korea Plans to Dispatch More Troops to Ukraine Despite High Casualties

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South Korean military officials have reported that North Korea is preparing to send additional soldiers to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development comes despite high casualties among the estimated 11,000 North Korean troops already deployed, with reports indicating that around 270 soldiers have been killed and about 2,700 injured.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated on Friday that there is suspicion of accelerated preparations by Pyongyang to augment its military involvement. The initial deployment began last autumn following a mutual defense agreement between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at strengthening their alliance amid what they term a US-led "western hegemony."

The North Korean regime seeks not only to provide ground troops but also aims to gain access to advanced Russian military technology, including missile and satellite systems. Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers, one of whom believed he was participating in a training exercise rather than combat.

This escalating situation comes amid renewed discussions in the United States regarding North Korea, with former President Donald Trump expressing interest in reestablishing relations with Kim, whom he described as a "smart guy." Trump’s comments reflect a shift in focus as the US navigates its approach toward North Korea amid the ongoing global conflict.

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