North Korea Sends Military Support to Russian Frontlines; Is WWIII Inevitable?

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, North Korea is reportedly planning to deploy military units to Ukraine next month to support Russian forces. This follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years, where he signed a defense pact with Kim Jong Un on June 19 in Pyongyang. The pact stipulates that both countries will provide military assistance to each other as needed.

Shortly after the agreement was signed, North Korea announced it would send a unit of military engineers to join Russia's army in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. This move suggests North Korea might soon become an active combatant in the war. North Korea is already supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia, having reportedly shipped up to 1.6 million artillery shells to the Russian army for its special military operation.

The defense pact states, "In case any one of the two sides is put in a state of war by an armed invasion from an individual state or several states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay."

Responding to the news, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder told journalists that North Korea is essentially sending these soldiers to their deaths. "I think that if I were North Korean military personnel management, I would be questioning my choices on sending my forces to be cannon fodder in an illegal war against Ukraine," Ryder said. He added that U.S. intelligence will continue to monitor the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea.

Given North Korea's role as an important bridge between Russia and China, it makes sense for Russia to partner with the country. This bridge allows Beijing to transfer military equipment to Moscow while avoiding Western sanctions. "North Korea is one of the key Russian partners, and the rationale behind this partnership is their role as a bridge between China and Russia," commented Ilya Ponomarev. "Essentially all the military equipment supposed to be delivered from North Korea was originally developed for North Koreans by the Chinese."

"China is cautious not to get under secondary sanctions by the United States, but North Korea is not in danger. So there is no problem for Chinese to assist North Koreans, who then trade with Russia, benefiting both financially and in terms of military development."

Some people expressed skepticism about these latest developments, especially Ryder's insinuation that North Korea is merely sending "cannon fodder" to Ukraine. "None of this is true," one person wrote. "The West is just jealous because an army of contracted North Korean engineers is arriving in Donetsk to help rebuild the destroyed towns and villages."

"North Koreans are the best and fastest builders that finish jobs to perfection in the shortest amount of time."

Another wrote that World War III is imminent. "If China also sends troops, it really will be WWIII," added someone else. "God help us all."