North Korea’s Kim accuses US of using Ukraine to target Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States and Western nations of using the Ukrainian military as “shock troops” to fight Russia, warning that such actions could escalate into a global conflict.

In a speech to battalion commanders, Kim criticized the US and its allies for leveraging the ongoing Ukraine war to expand their military interventions globally and enhance their combat experience.

While South Korea and the United States have alleged that North Korea has deployed over 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia in the war, experts suggest that Kim may be seeking to gain access to advanced Russian technology and combat experience in exchange for his country’s support.

Pyongyang has denied these allegations, and Kim did not specifically address them in his remarks, which were reported by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim Jong Un expressed concerns that Washington’s continued military support for Ukraine could lead to the outbreak of World War III. He also vowed to bolster North Korea’s nuclear defense capabilities “without limit” in response to growing tensions.

These comments come in the wake of claims by Seoul that North Korean soldiers have started participating in combat operations alongside Russian forces near Ukraine’s border.

While the North Korean leader did not directly address these reports, his statements highlight Pyongyang’s increasing involvement in the conflict and its commitment to enhancing its military capabilities in light of the escalating global situation.

“Kim is likely considering additional deployments to support Russia’s war in Ukraine,” said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

Last week, North Korea formalized its growing military alliance with Russia by ratifying a significant defense pact, strengthening ties between the two nations, which were once Communist allies during the Cold War.

This development has raised concerns in Western nations, who fear that in return for sending troops to support Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, Moscow might provide North Korea with technological assistance that could significantly enhance Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

In recent months, North Korea has ramped up its missile activities, including launching multiple ballistic missiles and testing a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.

The prospect of North Korean troops engaging in combat operations alongside Russian forces has led to a shift in South Korea’s stance.

While South Korea has refrained from providing lethal aid to Ukraine up to now, it has recently indicated that it might reconsider this policy in light of the evolving situation.