Seoul: North Korea appears set to deploy an additional 30,000 to 50,000 troops to support Russia in its war with Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday. Zelenskyy made the remarks in a post on X, quoting comments he made in an interview with the United News telethon.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Zelenskyy noted that North Korean forces have intermittently appeared on Russian territory, initially in smaller numbers but now set to increase significantly. "At first, we were talking about hundreds, then thousands, and now a decision has been made for 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to be deployed on the territory of Russia," Zelenskyy stated.

The Ukrainian president also mentioned that North Korea will gain experience in modern warfare through its alliance with Russia, acquiring licenses and military tools in the process. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of South Korea's cooperation with Ukraine, particularly in the areas of air defense systems and drones, despite South Korea's constitutional restrictions. "They have a legal restriction under their Constitution. But we would like to have this cooperation and are counting on it. Our diplomats are in contact," he added.

In June 2024, following a mutual defense pact signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang reportedly sent around 20,000 combat troops and military engineers to the Kursk region to bolster Moscow's efforts in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.