By Matt Underwood North Korea may end up sending 100,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in the war in Ukraine. This staggering number represents a significant portion of North Korea’s military, and the potential consequences are deeply unsettling. The sheer scale of this potential deployment suggests a level of desperation, both on the part of Russia, needing additional manpower, and North Korea, potentially seeking to alleviate its chronic food shortages through a drastic reduction in its population.
The deployment of such a large number of North Korean troops could dramatically alter the course of the war. Russia’s strategy, described as a “Stalingrad strategy,” seems to rely on overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers, even at a high cost in human life. The potential for this strategy to succeed, however, is uncertain, particularly if these troops are poorly equipped, trained, and lack morale.
The West’s seemingly passive response to this developing situation is alarming. The lack of strong condemnation or forceful countermeasures could embolden Putin to use these troops directly within Ukraine, further escalating the conflict. It also increases the possibility that these troops will become a significant bargaining chip in future peace negotiations, potentially giving Russia an unfair advantage.
This inaction also presents a dangerous precedent. If Russia is allowed to absorb Ukraine with the assistance of North Korean troops, it is likely that Putin will feel emboldened to target other former Soviet republics. This could lead to a wider conflict, potentially drawing NATO countries into direct confrontation. Given the current state of geopolitical tensions, this is a scenario that must be avoided at all costs.
The argument that NATO’s defensive nature prevents intervention is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. While NATO’s mandate is primarily defensive, the current situation in Ukraine presents a direct threat to broader European security. A preemptive, defensive buffer zone established in Ukraine, even if it is outside of NATO territory, could be a crucial step in preventing further escalation. Failing to act now risks allowing the conflict to spill over into NATO member states.
Some argue that the North Korean troops will defect en masse once exposed to the outside world. While this is a possibility, it’s unlikely to be as widespread as some might hope. Many North Korean soldiers would have families held hostage within the country, making desertion an incredibly risky proposition. The brutal nature of the North Korean regime makes such a large-scale defection highly improbable. The regime itself also benefits from sending these soldiers; it frees up resources and potentially gains access to Ukrainian grain, solving some of their food shortages.
The potential deployment of 100,000 North Korean troops highlights the seriousness of the situation. It’s a clear indication that Russia is facing severe manpower issues and is willing to resort to drastic measures to compensate. The lack of decisive Western response raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current geopolitical strategies and the long-term consequences of inaction. The possibility that this will escalate to a far larger conflict, perhaps even a nuclear conflict, should not be taken lightly. The world needs to recognize the gravity of the situation and act decisively to prevent further escalation. The alternative is an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable future.