Kim Jong-un’s top military commander leads North Korean troops in Russia

The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced on October 28 that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region sooner than initially expected.

The agency also confirmed the deployment of Kim Yong-bok, a close military aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, to Russia. He currently leads the army’s special operation forces.

According to Yonhap News, Hong Jang-won, First Deputy Director of the NIS, stated at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, that South Korea previously estimated the deployment would occur by early December.

However, “Following intelligence disclosures, the cooperation between Russia and North Korea appears to have accelerated,” he said.

Hong noted, “The movement of 12,000 personnel is necessary, and with the public exposure of their intent and maneuvers, there seems to be a sense of urgency in their deployment.” He added that reports indicate these troops may already be mobilizing towards or are stationed in Kursk.

Earlier that day, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted the “serious potential of North Korean troops entering the Ukrainian frontlines faster than anticipated.”

Following a briefing on North Korean troop movements at NATO’s North Atlantic Council (NAC), Hong confirmed that NATO has been informed about Kim Yong-bok’s dispatch. Japanese media outlet Kyodo News recently reported that Kim Yong-bok arrived in Russia as the chief commander of North Korean forces.

The South Korean delegation plans to visit Ukraine shortly to discuss the situation on the ground with Ukrainian officials and explore potential collaboration. In a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Yoon urged NATO to reinforce its vigilance against illegal exchanges between Russia and North Korea, emphasizing the need for concerted action under Rutte’s leadership.

The delegation is also scheduled to brief and discuss North Korean troop deployment with the EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC) on October 29.

BY HYESEON CHAE, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]