Ukraine's Zelensky criticizes allies for 'zero' response to North Korean deployment

President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized his allies for their "zero" response to Russia's deployment of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine, stating on Thursday that a weak reaction would only embolden Vladimir Putin to increase the troop presence.

In an interview with South Korea's KBS television, Zelensky indicated that he believed Moscow was already negotiating for North Korea to send engineering troops and a "large number of civilians" to work at Russian military facilities. "Putin is testing the West's reaction... I believe that after assessing these responses, Putin will decide to bolster the contingent... The current reaction is insignificant, it is zero," Zelensky remarked. He began publicly alerting others about the possibility of North Korean involvement in the war on October 13. While Western allies have acknowledged the move as a significant escalation, they have yet to announce any retaliatory actions or preparations.

South Korea has offered to provide intelligence support and explore broader cooperation on this issue, and it is considering sending a team of military monitors to Ukraine, according to South Korean officials. In a statement to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Ukraine's delegation named three North Korean generals who they allege are accompanying thousands of troops from the Korean People's Army deployed to Russia to assist in the conflict against Ukraine.

Russia has not denied the presence of North Korean troops in the war. Initially, North Korea denied involvement but has since defended the troop deployment as consistent with international law.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood stated during the Security Council meeting on Thursday that the U.S. has received information indicating that there are currently 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia's southern Kursk region, which borders northeastern Ukraine.

In his interview, Zelensky expressed surprise at China's "silence" regarding the troop deployment, given its status as the world's second-largest economy. He also asserted that Ukraine had "clear information" confirming that Russia had acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops to the West through intelligence channels. "The Russian Federation discussed this with the West and confirmed that there are indeed military personnel from North Korea who will be fighting against Ukraine," he said.

Zelensky's direct comments reflect growing frustration within Ukraine over the level of Western support during a critical phase of the conflict with Russia, particularly as the U.S. presidential election approaches on Tuesday. Russian forces have been steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine, and Ukraine's outgunned and outnumbered troops have been struggling to hold them back.