South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based newspaper, reported on October 28 that a group of nearly 200 ex-North Korean troops asked to be sent to Ukraine to demoralize and influence Pyongyang’s troops to join the war on Russia‘s side.
Kyiv, Seoul and the Western countries have accused North Korea of sending thousands to aid Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
According to Ukraine, Moscow has been preparing to send 12,000 North Korean soldiers to boost its war effort. The first batch is expected to be deployed in Kursk Oblast – a Russian border area partially held by Ukrainian forces.
South China Morning Post reports that in response to these reports, a group North Korean defectors who live in South Korea have offered their experience as North Korean soldiers to help wage psychological war against Moscow’s allies.
“North Korean soldiers there are essentially mercenaries but we would go with a goodwill missions as volunteers,” said Lee Min -bok, who is one of the initiative’s key figures and posted an appeal for the deployment to the Ukrainian embassy in Seoul.
Lee said that the mere presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine could have a significant impact on their morale. He also noted that they are treated like “cannon fodder.”
“North Korean soldiers can find courage and hope in our presence in Ukraine. They will be inspired to cross over to seek freedom.”
Russia has used mass infantry attacks to overwhelm Ukrainian defenders, resulting in extremely high casualties. To avoid a full-scale mobilization, the Kremlin sought out fresh manpower from North Korean allies, migrant workers and convicts.
Ahn Chan-il is another member of the group who heads the World Institute for North Korea Studies.
“We are ready to go anywhere needed to work as agents of psychological warfare – through loudspeaker announcements, leaflet distribution, and even as interpreters.”
The Kyiv Independent contacted the Ukrainain embassy in Seoul to get a comment, but did not receive a response immediately.
South China Morning Post reported that the South Korean Foreign Ministry referred this issue to the Unification Ministry which did not comment.
On Oct. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin indirectly acknowledged the presence in Russia of North Korean soldiers, responding to claims about satellite imagery by saying “if there are any images, they reflect some thing” and citing Pyongyang’s defense treaty.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry stated on October 25 that any decision made to send troops to Russia will comply with international law, but did not confirm the reports.
On October 24, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stated that the country may review its ban on supplying deadly arms to Ukraine due to “North Korean military activity.”
South Korean law prohibits exporting weapons to active conflict areas, but Seoul has hinted repeatedly that this could be changed in light of the deepening military co-operation between Russia and North Korea.
Tensions have been increasing between Pyongyang, and Seoul in parallel with the Russian war in Ukraine. North Korea declared South Korea hostile and destroyed two major roads that connected it to the southern part.
“I believe that many countries will try to manipulate our electorate. They’re going try to manipulate our election. “That’s what they do,” J.D. Vance told CBS News.
In a debate with the incumbent president on October 27, Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate for the Moldovan presidency, claimed that he would continue to support Ukraine.
The KADORR Group announced that Adnan Kivan had passed away. He was the owner of the KADORR Group, and the English-language Kyiv Post.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged “Georgia’s political leaders to respect rule of law, repeal laws that undermine fundamental freedoms, as well as address deficiencies in the election process together.”
The Russian forces have suffered 1,680 casualties in the last day alone.
State Emergency Service reported that at least 21 people, including five children, were injured in multiple air strikes launched by Russia on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv Oblast overnight on October 28.
“Modi is the Prime Minister of a very large country in terms of population, influence, and impact. A country of this size cannot simply say that it is interested in the end to the war. It is all interested. “PM Modi can influence an end to the Ukraine war,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Our interest is peace.” I think that Ukraine is not as important to us than other regions in the world. “I’m just putting my cards out there,” Republican senator and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said.
Operation UNIFIER of the Canadian Armed Forces announced on October 26 that Canada had provided Ukraine with a shipment of Light Armored Vehicles 6.0 ACSVs specially configured as ambulances.
Alexander Gusev, regional governor of Voronezh Oblast in Russia, said via his official Telegram account that debris from drones that had fallen to the ground struck two industrial sites on the evening October 27.
On October 27, Russian airstrikes in Ukraine’s southern Kherson Oblast killed at least five civilians and injured four others. The area is still divided by the frontline and is frequently subjected to Russian artillery, missiles, and drone strikes.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Ombudsman, said that “the alleged shooting of women by the occupiers at Selydove was a war crimes.” “I immediately wrote to international organizations, the UN and ICRC. I am awaiting a response.”
Grant Shapps, former U.K. defense secretary, argues that “now is the time to not only provide long-range authorization for our Storm Shadow rockets but to also do so without waiting for a Washington decision.”
“I think he is clearly an opponent.” J.D., the Republican candidate for vice president, said that he is a competitor. Vance replied when asked if the Russian President Vladimir Putin was an enemy.
“These elections cannot recognized. This is the equivalent of recognizing Georgia’s submission to Russia. No one can take Georgia’s European Future away.”
HUR reported that Russian police officers stopped a Kamaz truck on the Kursk-Voronezh Highway on October 27. The truck had civilian license plates. The vehicle was reported to be loaded with North Korean soldiers.
“During our observations, we noted the instances of vote buying and dual voting before and during the elections, especially in the rural areas,” said Ioanbulai, the leader of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
In an interview with state media published on October 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian Defense Ministry was considering “various options,” as a possible response if Ukraine launches a long-range strike against Russia, with Western support.
Andriy Yeermak, the head of the Presidential Office, told Corriere della sera that Ukraine will finalize their formula by November.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said on air that Ukrainian forces are still holding all the dominant heights in Zaporizhzhia oblast near Levadne and are trying to restore their positions.
Andriy Yeermak, Corriere della Sera, said that (President Volodymyr Zelensky) is very clear. He wants all soldiers and refugee abroad to be allowed to vote. “But for the moment, resources must be directed to the war.”
The regional prosecutor’s said that Russian soldiers in Selydove, a town in Donetsk Oblast, have opened fire on civilians at least twice, killing two women and injuring another, the office stated on October 27.
Andrii Sybiha will end his tour of the Middle East and Africa with a visit to Johannesburg and Pretoria. He is seeking to strengthen ties, and drum up support for Ukraine’s peace formula.
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