Kim Jong Un Will Soon Regret His Decision to Send NK Troops to Russia

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed last Friday that North Korea has decided to send around 10,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. Subsequent to this announcement, various pieces of evidence have emerged, such as a photograph displaying the flags of Russia and North Korea together in a Ukrainian battleground, and a video footage depicting North Korean soldiers getting ready for deployment at a Russian training facility.

Kim Jong Un's decision to send its troops to Russia has raised concerns not just for South Korea and its allies, but also for members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Monday that he discussed with President Yoon the deployment of North Korean troops. Rutte wrote in a post on X, saying, "North Korea sending troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine would mark a significant escalation."

Kim's unprecedented decision demonstrates a deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, potentially reshaping the security landscapes not just in the Korean Peninsula but also in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

North Korea is expected to receive funds and missile technology from Russia in exchange for deploying its soldiers. This is particularly worrisome, because it will significantly enhance North Korea's nuclear capabilities.

However, this could mark a crucial moment in which the Kim regime faces significant backlash from both inside and outside. Domestically, the North Korean military is likely to be discontent with Kim's decision to send troops to Russia, as they are aware that a majority of the soldiers sent will probably face death or injury. The North Korean military's loyalty toward the Kim regime is already at an all-time low, largely due to Kim's failed leadership, ongoing economic hardships, and the influence of South Korean culture. Kim's decision to send them to a foreign battlefield in return for the regime survival will only further alienate them from their dictator.

Externally, North Korea will face strong pushback from the international community, particularly NATO members that previously did not see it as a major threat. However, with North Korea's direct involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian War, NATO's view of the country has shifted dramatically. As Rutte pointed out, North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia now poses a serious danger to NATO nations, forcing them to reassess the Kim regime as a major threat.

Even with the rising military tensions and internal challenges in South Korea, the Yoon administration has a remarkable chance to undermine the Kim regime and carry out President Yoon's Freedom-based Unification Doctrine. This can be achieved by garnering backing from the international community, including NATO members, and by reaching out to dissatisfied North Korean soldiers stationed at the DMZ area. Should South Korea stand firm against both internal and external pressures and seize this opportunity, the downfall of the Kim regime could occur sooner than anticipated.

Kim Jong Un may think his brilliant decision can earn him money and missile technology for his survival at the cost of the lives of his own people. But he will soon regret his decision, as it could ultimately lead to the end of his regime.

Author: B.J. Choi, founder of NVNK, obtained his Master's degree in Asian Studies from the George Washington University. He previously worked for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWICS) on North Korea issues.