Kim Yo-jong Rejects Zelensky’s Claim of Additional North Korean Troops for Russia

On Wednesday, Kim Yo-jong, a senior official of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party and sister of leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement through state news agency KCNA rejecting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s assertion that Pyongyang intends to send up to 50,000 more soldiers to Russia. Kim described the estimate as “groundless” and a “self-staged incident.” Zelensky had posted the claim on the social-media platform X earlier in the month and urged South Korea to assist Ukraine’s air-defence efforts.

South China Morning PostNorth Korea’s Kim Yo Jong denies Zelenskiy’s claim on additional troops deployment

North Korea and Russia formalised a comprehensive strategic partnership during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s June 2024 visit to Pyongyang. Under that agreement, Pyongyang dispatched an estimated 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024, a deployment publicly acknowledged by both governments. In addition, Ukrainian and independent assessments allege that North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery and mortar rounds, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems.

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Kim Yo-jong placed full responsibility for the outbreak and prolongation of the Ukraine conflict on the United States and its Western allies, accusing them of “hostile policy” toward North Korea. She also noted that, despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks describing North Korea as “unthreatening and respectful” after he reduced joint U.S.–South Korea drills, Washington continues to conduct exercises that Pyongyang deems a threat to its national security. Zelensky, in his original post, framed the alleged troop increase as evidence of escalating Russian aggression and called on Seoul to bolster Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities.

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong denies Zelenskiy’s claim on additional troops deployment South China Morning Post

• 14,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024.

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• Millions of artillery, mortar, and rocket munitions reportedly supplied to Russia, according to Ukrainian and independent sources.

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong denies Zelenskiy’s claim on additional troops deployment

• Up to 50,000 additional troops claimed by Zelensky, a figure denied by Kim Yo-jong.

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No further official communication between the United States and North Korea on the issue has been confirmed. The United States has not publicly responded to Kim Yo-jong’s statements, and the broader diplomatic impact of the denial remains uncertain.

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong denies Zelenskiy’s claim on additional troops deployment