2210-2024 (KYIV) Reports of a North Korean flag flying alongside a Russian one in eastern Ukraine have fuelled speculation about Pyongyang’s potential involvement in the ongoing conflict. The South Korean news agency Yonhap broke the story on 22 October, citing a pro-Russian Telegram account that claimed the flags were hoisted together in Pokrovsk, located in Ukraine’s embattled Donbas region.
The appearance of the North Korean flag in this contested area has raised eyebrows among international observers, as it follows recent allegations of North Korean troop deployment to support Russian forces. However, Ukrainian officials have been quick to dismiss the flag-raising as a psychological tactic aimed at intimidating the local population.
Andriy Kovalenko, who heads the Ukrainian Security Council’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, characterised the incident as part of a broader disinformation campaign. “This is clearly an attempt to sow fear and uncertainty among our citizens,” Kovalenko stated in a press briefing.
The flag incident comes on the heels of a startling claim by South Korea’s intelligence agency last week. The agency reported that North Korea had dispatched 1,500 special forces troops to Russia’s Far East for training and acclimatisation at local military facilities. These forces, according to the agency, are likely being prepared for deployment in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been vocal about his concerns regarding North Korean involvement. On 17 October, he accused Pyongyang of not only sending officers to assist Russia but also preparing to deploy thousands of troops to bolster Moscow’s war effort. However, Kyiv’s Western allies have yet to corroborate these assertions, stating that they are currently investigating the claims.
The alleged military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has its roots in a summit held in the Russian Far East in 2023. This meeting marked a significant upgrade in military ties between the two nations, culminating in a comprehensive strategic partnership signed by their leaders in June. This agreement includes a mutual defence pact, further cementing their alliance.
For its part, North Korea has maintained a conspicuous silence on the matter. State media outlets have refrained from making any official statements regarding troop deployments to Russia or involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
The Kremlin, while dismissing South Korean claims about North Korean military personnel aiding Russia in Ukraine, has asserted its sovereign right to develop ties with Pyongyang across all domains. This stance has done little to allay international concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict through North Korean involvement.
North Korea flag the occupied Ukrainian village?
A photo is circulating on social media with a North Korean flag next to the Russian one, several foreign pages reported that this flag is in Ukraine, specifically the occupied Ukrainian village of Tsukuryne in Pokrovsk.
More… pic.twitter.com/4fyIEjY8zF
— Christos Kazantzoglou (@CKazantzoglou) October 21, 2024
