North Korea‑Russia alliance deepens with plan for 30,000 additional troops

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son‑hee met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on June 19, shortly before the anniversary of the Korean armistice. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X that Russia is seeking an extra 30,000 North Korean soldiers and that preparations are under way in Russia’s Boronezh region near the Ukrainian border.

The request follows a June‑19 comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim Jong Un and Putin, under which about 20,000 North Korean troops have already been deployed to Russia since October 2024. Russian officials have reportedly offered satellite‑technology and cyber‑espionage assistance in exchange for the additional manpower, while North Korean intelligence agencies restructure to integrate foreign‑intelligence capabilities. Analysts warn that the expanded cooperation could intensify the war in Ukraine and broaden security threats across Asia.