Western diplomatic sources in Moscow told NHK in mid-December that the idea to send North Korean troops to Russia originated in Pyongyang, not Moscow.
It was initially thought that Russia made the request due to troop shortages as its invasion of Ukraine drags on.
Some 11,000 North Korean troops reportedly have been deployed in Russia's western region of Kursk, where Russian forces have been fighting Ukraine's cross-border offensive.
Russian diplomatic sources said the deployment took place after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Moscow in August that his country was ready to send up to 100,000 troops.
The Russian sources said North Korea apparently hoped to get cutting-edge military technology from Russia in return.
The Western diplomatic sources said Pyongyang also appears to hope the troop offer would help it gain Moscow's support in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
The New York Times, quoting US officials, also reported on Monday that sending troops to Russia was North Korea's ideas.
It was initially thought that Russia made the request due to troop shortages as its invasion of Ukraine drags on.
Some 11,000 North Korean troops reportedly have been deployed in Russia's western region of Kursk, where Russian forces have been fighting Ukraine's cross-border offensive.
Russian diplomatic sources said the deployment took place after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Moscow in August that his country was ready to send up to 100,000 troops.
The Russian sources said North Korea apparently hoped to get cutting-edge military technology from Russia in return.
The Western diplomatic sources said Pyongyang also appears to hope the troop offer would help it gain Moscow's support in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
The New York Times, quoting US officials, also reported on Monday that sending troops to Russia was North Korea's ideas.
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Summary
North Korean troops (11,000) deployed in Russia's Kursk region for Ukraine's cross-border offensive, originating from Pyongyang's proposal, not Moscow's request due to troop shortages. Kim Jong Un reportedly offered up to 100,000 troops to Russia in August. This deployment aimed at obtaining
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ID: ad14a53c-1c69-4a95-9563-11d43cc350dd
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20241226_13/
Date: Dec. 26, 2024
Created: 2024/12/26 19:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 07:34
Last Read: 2024/12/27 06:48