Russia plans to engage North Korean civilians to work at its military plants - Zelenskyy

He said this in an interview with South Korean TV channel KBS.

Zelenskyy called the involvement of North Korean soldiers and officers in the war against Ukraine an escalation. He noted that Russia's cooperation with the DPRK began a long time ago, when North Korea transferred 3.5 million artillery shells, and ‘Russia was killing our people with all these millions.’

North Korea also handed over missiles, Zelenskyy recalled.

‘We are already talking about troops that will fight against us. Today, we know that 3,000 North Korean troops are already in a training camp. We know that the number will soon be increased to 12,000 soldiers and officers,’ the President said.

‘We also know that negotiations are underway to supply engineering troops, as well as civilians - a large number of civilians from North Korea - to work at certain Russian military plants,’ Zelenskyy added.

In his opinion, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is testing the reaction of NATO and South Korea and will decide whether to increase the contingent based on this.

Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on October 23, the North Korean military was spotted in the Kursk region.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that according to intelligence, the first North Korean military would be used by Russia in combat zones on October 27-28.

On October 25, South Korea's intelligence agency announced that North Korea plans to send a second batch of its military personnel to Russia, totaling up to 10,000 people.