Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, South Korea has disclosed a significant development involving the exchange of missiles between Russia and North Korea. According to South Korea’s national security adviser, Shin Won-sik, Russia provided North Korea with anti-air missiles and air defense equipment in exchange for North Korean troops supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

The revelation came as South Korea’s National Intelligence Service informed lawmakers that the North Korean troops sent to Russia, estimated to be around 10,000 in number, were likely assigned to an airborne brigade and marine corps, with some soldiers already engaged in combat. Additionally, North Korea has reportedly dispatched over 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles, and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its weapons stockpiles.

Experts suggest that North Korea’s involvement in the conflict could be a strategic move to realign its foreign policy. By providing soldiers to Russia, North Korea positions itself as a supplier of weapons, military support, and labor within the Russian war economy, potentially shifting away from its traditional ally, China. This move could also grant North Korea access to Russia’s abundant natural resources, including oil and gas.

The mutual defense pact ratified between Russia and North Korea, signed during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang, requires both countries to offer immediate military assistance in the event of an attack and collaborate internationally against Western sanctions. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui’s recent visit to Moscow further emphasized the solidarity between the two nations, with North Korea pledging to support Russia until “victory day.”

The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has prompted a reconsideration of South Korea’s stance on providing arms to conflict-stricken regions. While South Korea had previously refrained from sending weapons to Ukraine, President Yoon Suk-yeol hinted at a potential shift in this policy following the recent developments involving North Korea, Russia, and Ukraine.

The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region and raises concerns about the implications of such missile exchanges and military collaborations. As the conflict continues to evolve, the involvement of additional nations like North Korea adds a new dimension to the already volatile situation between Russia and Ukraine.