Fact Check: "Secret clause allows North Korea to send military personnel to Ukraine!"
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that a strategic partnership agreement between Russia and North Korea includes a secret clause permitting the deployment of North Korean military personnel to Ukraine. According to the Wall Street Journal, this clause allows North Korea to send an initial contingent of 1,000 soldiers to Ukraine to gain military experience. The agreement was reportedly finalized during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2023. Following this pact, North Korean military officials announced that an engineering unit would be integrated into Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast (source-2).
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, has stated that North Korean units were expected to arrive in Kursk Oblast as of October 23, 2023. He also mentioned that earlier reports suggested the first group would consist of 2,600 soldiers (source-2). The Pentagon has confirmed the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, although specific details regarding their numbers and roles remain undisclosed (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that a secret clause exists allowing North Korea to send troops to Ukraine is supported by multiple credible sources, including the Wall Street Journal and statements from military officials. The Wall Street Journal's report cites an unnamed former Russian intelligence agent, which raises questions about the reliability of the source due to the lack of direct attribution. However, the corroboration from Ukrainian military intelligence and Pentagon officials lends weight to the claim.
Additionally, the Kyiv Independent and other outlets have reported similar findings, indicating a consensus among various news sources regarding the existence of this secret clause. The reports suggest that North Korean soldiers are currently being trained in Russia and are not yet deployed directly to the front lines in Ukraine, which aligns with the strategic military objectives of both nations.
While North Korea has denied these reports, and Kremlin spokespersons have provided evasive responses, the consistency of the information from multiple independent sources suggests that the claim is credible. The strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea, particularly in the context of military cooperation, is further supported by historical precedents of collaboration between the two nations.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a secret clause allows North Korea to send military personnel to Ukraine is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including reports from the Wall Street Journal and confirmations from military intelligence officials. The evidence indicates that North Korea is indeed preparing to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a broader military cooperation agreement with Russia.
