North Korean Defector Claims Regime’s Survival Depends on U.S.-Backed Military Instability

By Iyojo Ameh

In a recent article titled “The Kim Jong-un Dictatorship Sustained by the U.S.,” North Korean defector Jin Joo-dong has made startling claims about North Korea’s involvement in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

According to Jin, who defected to South Korea in 2022, the North Korean regime under Kim Jong-un not only supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine but actively contributed to them, citing the conflict as crucial for its own survival.

Jin, drawing from his personal experiences in North Korea, argues that the regime relies on military instability and external threats to justify its totalitarian rule and maintain internal control.

He alleges that North Korea welcomed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, viewing it as an opportunity to divert international attention and secure support from Russia, despite global condemnation.

The defector details North Korea’s purported involvement, including the provision of significant military supplies such as “equipment and munitions,” which were transported in nearly 1,000 containers via ship and train routes. Images released by U.S. authorities reportedly show containers marked with North Korean insignia destined for deployment zones near Ukraine.

Jin further criticizes North Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister Im Chon-il for his aggressive rhetoric against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of being a puppet controlled by the U.S. rather than a legitimate leader.

The article highlights North Korea’s strategic objectives amid the international crisis, suggesting that the regime seeks to exploit global conflicts to alleviate economic pressures and enhance its international standing through arms sales and other means.

As global condemnation of Russia’s actions grows, Jin’s revelations offer a provocative insight into North Korea’s geopolitical tactics and its contentious relationship with international norms and sanctions.

The defector’s account challenges perceptions of North Korea’s role in global stability, prompting renewed scrutiny of its interactions with other rogue states and its impact on global security dynamics.