Zelensky warns North Korea-Russia alliance could spell trouble for Asia: China's 'silence is conspicuous'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is sounding the alarm that the recent deployment of North Korean troops in Russia not only spells trouble for Ukraine but also calls into question the stability and security of Western-allied nations in Asia.

“North Korea’s actions are not a coincidence,” Zelensky said in a candid interview with South Korean public broadcaster KBS on Thursday. “They have strategic goals.”

“Their actions are not a coincidence – they want Russia’s support in return,” he added in comments also posted on his social media account on X.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (center) meets soldiers who took part in training in North Korea March 13. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

US says 8,000 North Korean soldiers are to begin combat missions in the war against Ukraine “in the coming days”.

Zelensky's warning coincided with an announcement by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who held a joint press conference with their South Korean counterparts on Thursday to confirm that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to Russia for training – 80 percent These are already in Kursk and are expected to begin combat operations against Ukraine in the region in the “coming days”.

Zelensky, who described the threat posed by North Korea as “a war of two countries against one,” reiterated the immediate threat outlined by U.S. officials and called on South Korea to play a larger role in combating Russia's nearly 1,000-day war against Russia take over Ukraine.

“Whether these forces are stationed in Kursk or in our occupied territories, they are preparing to fight against Ukrainian soldiers. The world must recognize the importance of this alliance,” he said. “South Korea approached this war with caution.

“But this is not just our war,” Zelensky continued. “Russia has brought North Korea into the game, and it won’t stop there. Iran or even others could be next.”

Zelensky said South Korea had already agreed to send a team of specialists to Ukraine, where they would cooperate on defense capabilities, including air defense, as North Korea also supplies Russia with artillery and missiles.

A television screen shows file photos of North Korean soldiers during a newscast at Seoul Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 18. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The Pentagon is threatening no new restrictions on Ukraine's weapons if North Korea joins the war against Russia

“If South Korea wants to understand the real capabilities of North Korea and its soldiers, it would be beneficial for them to be here to see and analyze the reality firsthand,” he said. “Consider how close North Korea is to Seoul – only 40-50 km (25-30 miles), the range of modern artillery, not even missiles.”

“Air defense cannot counter artillery attacks. Our own cities were destroyed by artillery. I hope South Korea never experiences anything like this, but preparation is crucial,” Zelensky added.

The Ukrainian president also suggested that it was time for allies in the east to form an “Asian Security Alliance” and called on countries like South Korea and Japan to take the lead.

“And reaching out to China could be crucial to counter North Korea's aggression as North Korea actively drags this region into war,” he said, questioning China's position as the threat of regional conflict increases.

“I am surprised by China’s silence,” Zelensky added. “I cannot say that China is on our side, but as a regional security guarantor, its silence is noticeable.”

The Ukrainian president emphasized that the unification of Russia and North Korea has a direct impact not only on Ukraine, but also on partners in the East and allies in the West.

A television screen shows file photos of North Korean soldiers during a newscast at Seoul Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 18. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

“Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing the West, NATO and even South Korea, watching their reaction to the involvement of North Korean forces in his election campaign,” Zelensky said. “If the response is weak, we can expect an increase in the number of foreign soldiers on our soil.”

The US announced on Friday another $425 million Presidential Drawdown Authority defense assistance package for Ukraine.

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The package includes air defense interceptors, ammunition for missile systems and artillery, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons to meet “Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs.”

The package notably did not include medium-range Tomahawk missiles, which Zelensky had requested and rejected, according to a leaked report to The New York Times this week.

Zelensky reportedly expressed disappointment on Wednesday not with the U.S. refusal to provide Ukraine with sophisticated weapons capable of flying around 1,500 miles, but with the fact that the request came from an anonymous senior U.S leaked to officials.