N. Korean delegation visits Russia to bolster military ties, signaling deeper cooperation

Korean People's Army (KPA) Deputy Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Pak Yong-il, left, shakes hand with a Russian military official. The KPA delegation departed Pyongyang to attend the 3rd International Anti-Fascist Forum in Russia, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported, Tuesday. Yonhap

A North Korean military delegation has departed for Moscow, Pyongyang's state media said Tuesday, a day after the North officially confirmed for the first time that it has deployed troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine.

The delegation, led by Pak Young-il, deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA), left Pyongyang on Monday to attend an international anti-fascism event in Russia, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported. The dispatch offered no further details, but the trip coincides with preparations for Russia’s 80th Victory Day celebrations, set for May 9.

Pak is a prominent figure within North Korea's military establishment, holding a significant position within the KPA General Political Bureau. This powerful body is tasked with maintaining political control and ideological purity within the armed forces, as well as ensuring loyalty to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. As deputy director, Pak likely plays a key role in shaping the military's political landscape, enforcing the directives of the ruling Workers' Party, and wielding substantial authority over personnel decisions and the overall political direction of the KPA.

The visit follows a rare admission by North Korea that it has sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region.

On Monday, the North Korean leader called the deployment "the most faithful expression" of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between Pyongyang and Moscow last year. Russia, for its part, confirmed the North Korean troop presence, and President Vladimir Putin personally thanked Kim for the support.

Putin also announced a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day, signaling the symbolic weight Moscow places on Pyongyang’s involvement.

Analysts believe the acknowledgment by both countries of North Korea’s military role may pave the way for deeper bilateral ties, including a possible visit by Kim to Russia around the time of the celebrations.

Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the deployment appears to be "part of broader military cooperation based on the new North Korea-Russia treaty." He added, "In a larger context, it seems aimed at solidifying military ties under the guise of multifaceted cooperation."

Speculation has been mounting over whether Kim will travel to Moscow to meet Putin, following an invitation extended during their summit in Pyongyang last June.

However, Yang expressed doubt about the likelihood of an imminent visit.

"May 9 is just 10 days away, and for a leader like Kim to prepare for a foreign trip, it would take at least a month or two of advanced planning. Given the current timeline, it's unlikely that Kim’s visit will coincide with Victory Day celebrations," he explained.

Despite skepticism over a Victory Day meeting, Yang did not rule out a summit later this year.

"Given the dynamics of China-U.S. relations, inter-Korean relations, and the reaffirmation of the North Korea-Russia treaty after the Ukraine war, a summit could still take place, though perhaps in Vladivostok rather than Moscow," he said.

North Korea’s ruling Workers' Party Central Military Commission said in a statement that Kim’s decision to send troops was made based on Article 4 of the North Korea-Russia treaty, which stipulates mutual military assistance in times of conflict. The statement described the dispatched soldiers as "representatives of the nation's honor" and confirmed that a monument would be built in Pyongyang to honor fallen troops.

Russian state news agency Tass reported that Putin lauded North Korean forces for aiding in the recapture of the Kursk region, calling their actions a "manifestation of solidarity, justice and true camaraderie."

Yang also commented on North Korea’s rare public acknowledgment of the deployment, noting that socialist countries typically show little gratitude even to their allies.

"Historically, socialist states have been reluctant to publicly express gratitude for assistance received," he said. "Given this, it’s plausible that North Korea itself pushed for the public acknowledgment of its troop deployment, which Russia eventually accepted."