Amid Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which has lasted for over a year and a half, it is becoming increasingly clear that Moscow is relying on resources and support from authoritarian regimes. Recent reports from The Washington Post raise new concerns: North Korea is not only supplying ammunition to Russia but is also preparing its soldiers for combat.
According to sources, several thousand North Korean soldiers are already being trained on Russian soil and could be sent to the front lines in Ukraine by the end of this year. This arrangement is part of the agreements between Moscow and Pyongyang, allowing Russia to replace its regular troops in border regions. The purpose of this rotation is to free up Russian soldiers for active combat on the front lines.
Modern Slavery: A New Form of Dependency
North Korean soldiers’ involvement in the war against Ukraine not only raises international security concerns but also highlights the issue of modern slavery. North Korea is notorious for its brutal regime, which uses forced labor to achieve its economic and political goals. Now, this regime may send its soldiers as “living commodities,” using them to support Russia’s military aggression.
The participation of North Korean troops underscores the international nature of the war in Ukraine and casts doubt on the positions of countries that continue to support Moscow. The use of such “mercenaries” points to the critical state of the Russian army and the Kremlin’s inability to hold positions on the front lines without external help.
Violation of International Law: A New Escalation of Aggression
The deployment of soldiers from North Korea is not just a political issue but also a legal one. Many countries, including Ukraine and its allies, see this as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. North Korea has long been under sanctions for numerous human rights violations, but its involvement in the war in Ukraine may trigger new international sanctions against both states.
For Ukraine and its Western partners, this cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow is yet another piece of evidence that the Kremlin is willing to do anything to maintain its positions. However, such actions only deepen the conflict and complicate any attempts at peaceful resolution.
In essence, modern slavery, embodied in the actions of North Korea and Russia, highlights the cruelty and lack of principles among the aggressors. The war continues, and new waves of violence and human rights violations have become a tragic part of this conflict.
Also, read about new evidence of violations of international humanitarian law by Russian soldiers in our article: Cruelty of Russian Soldiers: New Evidence of Violations of International Humanitarian Law