With reports that Pyongyang is to provide combat troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine Kyiv Post sought the views of Korean scholar Mykola Polishchuk on the DPRK’s increasing involvement.
From: Kyiv Post by Sergii Kostezh
The supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia, started with artillery ammunition and escalated to include ballistic missiles. At the same time there were reports that the DPRK was to send engineers and advisors to Ukraine, some of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile attack, and the news that Russia is now training North Korean combat troops for deployment to the war.
This strengthened cooperation between North Korea and Russia has been formalized by the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the two.
Kyiv Post spoke with Mykola Polishchuk, a Korean scholar who has been the vice-president of the NGO “Ukraine-DPRK Society” for more since 1999. He has visited North Korea multiple times and authored a book about his experiences there, which is set to be published shortly.
Tell us about your understanding of the agreement between Putin and Kim on “strategic cooperation” between the Russian Federation and North Korea. What does it mean, and how will it strengthen North Korea’s participation in the war?
These two states have never fully adhered to treaties in the past. Putin promised to recognize Ukraine’s borders and withdraw the fleet in 2017. The current agreement outlines serious obligations, but whether these will be fulfilled depends on the situation at hand…
Voice of Ukraine 