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North Korea–Ukraine relations

North Korea	Ukraine

North Korea–Ukraine relations are the bilateral foreign relations between North Korea and Ukraine. Relations were suspended in July 2022 due to the North Korea's recognition of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine.

History

Bilateral relations were established on January 9, 1992. The North Korean embassy in Moscow was also accredited to Ukraine. Ukraine was accredited to North Korea through the embassy in Beijing. In 1998, North Korea closed its embassy in Kyiv (as well as several other embassies) due to the country's severely reduced budget after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc.

Before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian scientists and businessmen assisted North Korea's nuclear program by either working directly or supplying technology to the country.

Russo-Ukrainian war

In 2017, North Korea recognised Crimea as part of Russia. Due to this happening at a time where bilateral relations between North Korea and the United States were thawing, Ukraine did not respond strongly.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

On July 13, 2022, Ukraine announced the severance of diplomatic relations with North Korea due to its recognition of the independence of the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Prior to the severance of diplomatic relations, other political and economic relations had already been frozen due to the sanctions imposed against North Korea.

In October 2024, reports emerged that North Korean soldiers were being trained in Russia's far east, confirming earlier claims by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) that 1,500 North Korean troops had been sent for military training, potentially to be deployed in Ukraine. The soldiers were filmed receiving uniforms and equipment at a training ground, and additional footage showed their arrival near Russia’s border with China.

On 23 October 2024, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, marking a significant escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that two units of North Korean soldiers, each with 6,000 personnel, were being trained for deployment.

On 28 October 2024, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed that North Korean troops were bordering Ukraine, marking NATO’s first formal acknowledgment of North Korean forces actively supporting Russia. NATO leaders and Zelenskyy called for international pressure on Russia and North Korea to adhere to UN mandates.

On 4 November 2024, Ukrainian officials claimed direct military engagement with North Korean soldiers deployed by Russia in the Kursk region, if confirmed it would marking the first instance of foreign military intervention since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine’s counter-disinformation official, claimed that North Korean troops stationed near Kursk came under Ukrainian fire.

Trade

In 2020, Ukraine exported US$7,710 to North Korea. On the other hand, North Korea exported $55,500 to Ukraine, with its main exports being mostly polyacetals.

See also

• Foreign relations of North Korea
• Foreign relations of Ukraine
• Foreign involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Koreans in Ukraine

References

1. ^ "Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the severance of diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. 2022-07-13.
2. Wertz, Oh & Insung 2016, p. 7, 9.
3. Wertz, Oh & Insung 2016, p. 7, 12.
4. Shuster, Simon (2018-02-01). "Did Ukrainian Scientists Arm North Korea's Nuclear Power?". Time.
5. Byrne, Leo (2017-10-12). "North Korean atlas shows Crimea as part of Russia". NK News.
6. "俄朝建交69周年，朝承认克里米亚姓"俄". 中青在线. 2017-10-13. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
7. "乌克兰与朝鲜断交！它们那些说不得的恩怨". 乌有之乡. Archived from the original on 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
8. "КНДР признала ДНР и ЛНР. В ответ Украина разорвала дипломатические отношения с Северной Кореей". Meduza / TASS. 2022-07-13.
9. "Ukraine Cuts Ties With North Korea Over Recognition Of Separatist Territories". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2022-07-13.
10. "Україна розриває дипломатичні відносини з КНДР – Ніколенко". Радио Свобода. 2022-07-13.
11. Kennedy, Isaac Yee, Victoria Butenko, Niamh (2024-10-19). "North Korean troops seen being equipped in Russia ahead of likely deployment to Ukraine". CNN. Retrieved 2024-10-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
12. "North Korean troops in Russia readying for combat in Ukraine war, South Korea says". Reuters. 2024-10-19.
13. ""First step to World War" — North Korea preparing 10,000 soldiers to join Russia's war, Zelensky confirms". The Kyiv Independent. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
14. "Austin Confirms North Korea Has Sent Troops to Russia". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
15. Aggarwal, Mithil (2024-10-23). "North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, U.S. confirms". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
16. Murphy, Matt (2024-10-29). "Ukraine war: Nato says North Korean troops deployed to Russia's Kursk region". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
17. "NATO Confirms North Korean Troops In Russia, Says It Shows Putin's 'Desperation'". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
18. Miller, Christopher; Seddon, Max (2024-11-04). "Ukraine says it has attacked North Korean troops in Kursk". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
19. Reporter, Brendan Cole Senior News (2024-11-04). "Captured Russian soldier says North Koreans opened fire on his unit". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
20. "Ukrainian troops have engaged with North Korean units for the 1st time in Russia, an official says". AP News. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
21. "Ukraine (UKR) and North Korea (PRK) Trade". OEC.

Bibliography

• Wertz, Daniel; Oh, JJ; Insung, Kim (2016). "DPRK Diplomatic Relations" (PDF). NCNK.

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