By hannover-web.com In a significant escalation of tensions, North Korea’s purported deployment of troops to support Russia in the invasion of Ukraine has sparked strong reactions from German media and the government. Germany officially summoned the North Korean representative on October 23 to express its protest, marking the first such warning issued by a European nation. Headlines in German media have described the situation as a potential “path to World War III” due to North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
The German Foreign Ministry took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that if reports about North Korean soldiers sent to Ukraine are accurate, it would represent a serious violation of international law. They emphasized that North Korea’s support for Russia’s aggression poses a direct threat to peace and order in Germany and Europe.
Additionally, South Korea issued a warning last week, confirming that North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia, while Ukraine also acknowledged their assistance to Russia. The U.S. has stated that it is continuing to investigate the matter, and NATO has cautioned that such actions could have severe consequences. Germany stands out as the first European country to officially warn North Korea about this situation.
However, some German citizens criticized the government’s response as too lenient. One user commented, “North Korea isn’t ‘supporting’ anyone; they are directly attacking free Europe and us. This is already a war, dear Foreign Ministry.”
German media outlets have reacted strongly to North Korea’s military involvement in the Ukraine war. The “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” headlined their coverage with a reference to “the path to World War III.” Meanwhile, “Die Welt” remarked that this marks the first significant entry of an East Asian military force into Europe since the Mongol invasions nearly 800 years ago.
According to North Korean state media, leader Kim Jong-un recently inspected a strategic missile base, checking the transport and launch facilities for their most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18. During the inspection, accompanied by his sister Kim Yo-jong and several military officials, Kim emphasized the “key role” of North Korea’s missile forces in wartime deterrence, stating that enhancing missile capabilities is a “top priority.”
North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong-un reviewed facilities related to the country’s “strategic deterrent force,” stressing its crucial importance for national security. Photographs showed Kim in his signature black leather coat standing before a giant Hwasong-18 missile, as well as beside a medium-range hypersonic missile known for its erratic flight patterns that make it challenging to intercept.
During his inspection, Kim highlighted that “the U.S. strategic nuclear capabilities pose an increasingly severe threat to our security environment.” Therefore, he asserted the need for North Korea to more clearly strengthen its war deterrent and adopt “a comprehensive and rigorous nuclear counter posture.” He also called for further modernization and enhancement of the facilities at strategic missile bases.
