Amid rising concerns over North Korean troops in Russia, Foreign Minister Choe visits Moscow

As concerns are mounting over North Korean troops in Russia, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is visiting Moscow for the second time in six weeks.

The United States on Monday said that North Korea has said around 10,000 soldiers to Russia, who may be deployed in the war on Ukraine in the coming weeks.

While Russia has relied on North Korea and fellow authoritarian regimes of China and Iran for weapons, ammunition, supplies for manufacturing arms and ammunition, dual-use technology, and consumer goods amid Western sanctions, this is the first time a nation has contributed soldiers.

What we know of Choe Son Hui’s visit to Russia

Choe left for Moscow on an official visit on Monday, said North Korea’s state-run news agency KCNA on Tuesday.

Separately, Russian embassy in North Korea confirmed the visit and said that ambassador Alexander Matsegora saw off Choe at the airport.

“The visit of the head of the DPRK Foreign Ministry to the Russian Federation is taking place within the framework of a strategic dialogue — following an agreement to enhance ties reached by the leaders of our countries during the June 2024 summit,” said the embassy in a social media post, referring to the family-run country with its formal name of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Separately, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that Choe’s agenda could include talks to arrange Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un’s potential trip to Moscow.

In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited North Korea and Kim had visited Russia’s Vladivostok last year where he met Putin.

On its part, the Russian embassy in North Korea said that Choe will discuss bilateral relations and issues of international politics with Russian officials during the visit.

North Korean soldiers at Ukraine’s doorstep

Tripling the estimate it had last week, the United States on Monday said that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia.

Some of these soldiers have already been posted in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, said US Department of Defense Spokesperson Sabrina Singh.

Large parts of Kursk are under Ukrainian control and fighting is ongoing between Russian and Ukrainian personnel in the province.

Separately, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also confirmed the North Korean soldiers’ deployment in Kursk and said that it represents “a significant escalation” in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and “a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war”.

Singh said that North Korea would be considered a co-belligerent if its soldiers move to the frontlines.

“If we see DPRK troops moving in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war. This is a calculation that North Korea has to make,” said Singh.

The United States has further said that there would be no additional restrictions on the usage of weapons against North Korean personnel if they join the Russians in war against Ukraine.