It is now clear that at least some number of North Korean troops are fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has asserted that approximately 1,500 North Korean troops — reportedly special forces — began to deploy to Russia on Oct. 8. It added in its public release that Russian ships transported the North Koreans, who were issued Russian uniforms, weapons and fake identity cards. The U.S. now says the number of troops is at least 3,000.

Both South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence agencies also claim that North Korea plans to send between 11,000 and 12,000 additional troops to Russia to support its invasion. Various video and eyewitness reports confirm the presence of North Korean troops at the battle front, while the Kiev Post reported that six North Koreans were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike near Donetsk. Britain’s ambassador to the U.N. has effectively supported the two intelligence service assertions, stating that “it is highly likely North Korea has agreed to send troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

Not surprisingly, North Korea denies that it has sent any troops to Russia. Similarly, the Russian news agency quoted Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, who issued what amounted to a non-denial denial, saying that while Russia certainly........

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