President Zelensky Expects Strong Reaction To North Korea's Involvement In War In Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he expects strong reactions from countries that have recognized North Korea as increasingly involved in the Russian war that has lasted more than 2.5 years against Ukraine.

Speaking in his evening video address, President Zelensky said there was a lot of satellite and video evidence that North Korea not only sent equipment to Russia, but also soldiers to be prepared for deployment.

"I thank the leaders and representatives of the country who have not turned a blind eye and speak frankly about this cooperation for the sake of a greater war," he said.

"We expect a normal, honest and strong reaction from our partners on this matter," he continued.

President Zelensky said North Korea's greater involvement would only harm all parties.

"Unfortunately, instability and threats could increase significantly after North Korea was trained for modern warfare," he said.

"If the world remains silent now and we must involve soldiers from North Korea on the front lines in the same way we must defend ourselves against the Shahed (Iran) drone, this will certainly not benefit anyone in the world and will only prolong the war," President Zelensky said.

North Korea's actions, he said, meant "essentially other countries are entering the fight against Ukraine".

Last week, President Zelensky accused North Korea of deploying joint Russian officers and preparing to send thousands of troops to help Moscow's war efforts.

Meanwhile, South Korea's spy agency said on Friday North Korea had sent 1,500 special forces to Russia's Far East for training.

Last weekend, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he could not confirm reports North Korea had sent troops to Russia before the possible deployment, but said such a move would be worrying if correct.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday there was no evidence of Pyongyang's presence at this stage.

North Korea's involvement in regular forces to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine will be a serious escalation of war, the French and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers said at a joint press conference in Kyiv on Saturday.