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North Korea may prepare to send more troops to Russia after its soldiers suffered heavy casualties during their battle against Russian-Ukraine forces. South Korea’s military suspects this move, while U.S. and South Korean intelligence indicate that North Korea has been supplying large amounts of weapons to Russia. Experts warn that if North Korea accelerates its troop deployment, it could gain a strategic advantage in its ongoing tensions with the U.S. and South Korea. Trump’s return to the White House may enhance Pyongyang’s chances for high-level diplomacy, as he met Kim Jong Un three times during his first term. However, analysts note that Kim’s nuclear program and military expansion with Russia could shape his foreign policy differently from his past summits with Trump. South Korea is deeply concerned about potential transfers of advanced Russian technology to North Korea, which could bolster its nuclear capabilities. Additionally, the lack of combat experience among North Korean soldiers makes them vulnerable to modern warfare tactics like drones and artillery attacks. Trump’s comments on Monday highlighting North Korea as a nuclear power have sparked concern in Seoul, as Washington and Pyongyang are both cautious about labeling it as such. South Korea’s spy agency reported 300 dead and over 2,700 injured among North Korean soldiers, with earlier estimates placing the death toll at around 4,000. The Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated that North Korea is believed to be accelerating its troop deployment to Russia without disclosing how they arrived at this assessment. Expert opinions suggest that deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia could strengthen Kim’s leverage in his dealings with Trump and South Korea. However, concerns persist about whether Trump might pivot away from a goal of complete denuclearization to focus on eliminating long-range missile programs. On Monday, Trump called North Korea “a nuclear power,” which has caused controversy in South Korea, as Washington and Seoul have avoided describing the country as a nuclear state out of fear of appearing to support its pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Jeon Ha Gyu, South Korea’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, emphasized the need for continued efforts to achieve denuclearization as a prerequisite for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry also stated that it will work closely with the Trump administration toward this goal.
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This article provides a clear, concise overview of the latest developments in North Korea-U.S.-Russia tensions, highlighting key actions and expert opinions while maintaining a professional tone suitable for a news blog.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/north-korea-prepares-send-troops-russia-after-suffering-118052666