The Participation of North Korean Troops in the War Against Ukraine Will Have Long-Term Consequences for Security in the Asia-Pacific Region
This was stated by the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, General-Lieutenant Kyrylo Budanov, in an exclusive interview with the South Korean publication The Chosun.
According to him, North Korea's forces in the war against Ukraine have lost around 4,000 soldiers, killed or severely wounded. Despite significant casualties, North Korean troops continue to actively engage in joint operations with Russian forces. There has also been an increase in the number of North Korean artillery on the frontlines.
"This war has mobilized the full military capabilities of the nations involved. Only three countries—Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea—are gaining direct experience in full-scale 21st-century warfare. The North Korean military of the future will be fundamentally different from its past," Kyrylo Budanov emphasized.
The Head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate also stressed that the aggressor state, Russia, and North Korea are deepening their military cooperation in the fields of technology, science, and industry.
"This collaboration is reaching the highest levels and poses a major threat to the international community. North Korea is using this war to gain combat experience and modernize its military technology. This will have lasting consequences for the security landscape in the Asia-Pacific region," Kyrylo Budanov noted.
He cited changes to the North Korean KN-23 missile as an example.
"Initially, its accuracy was severely flawed, with an error margin of 500 to 1,500 meters. But Russian missile experts made technical modifications, resolving the issue. The missile is now significantly more precise and a far greater threat," the head of Ukraine's intelligence service pointed out, adding that this missile weapon poses a threat to the security of South Korea and Japan.
Kyrylo Budanov expressed hope that cooperation between Kyiv and Seoul would deepen.
"Both Ukraine and South Korea are confronting the same adversary—North Korea. South Korea has decades of intelligence on North Korea, which would be invaluable to us. Ukraine is experiencing that firsthand right now. Exchanging intelligence and battlefield experience would be mutually beneficial. I hope to see stronger collaboration between our two countries in the future," emphasized the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
For more evaluations and comments from Kyrylo Budanov, read the full article at: Chosun
