韩国情报部门上周公布情报称，朝鲜已经决定向乌克兰战场派遣包括特种部队在内的12,000名兵力，参与俄罗斯与乌克兰的战争。

韩国国情院称，今年8月，首批1,500多名朝鲜特种部队已被送往俄罗斯的符拉迪沃斯托克，也就是中国所称的海参崴。

另一方面，乌克兰总统泽连斯基上周告诉媒体，根据他们的情报，朝鲜已经派遣技术人员和军官前往乌克兰被分裂的地区。他也表示，朝鲜准备派遣1万名兵力到战场，这相当于第二个国家正式加入了对乌克兰的战争。自从乌克兰战争爆发以来，朝鲜一直向俄罗斯提供炮弹、导弹和其他武器援助，但尚未大规模派遣军队参战。

朝鲜这次真的准备派兵到前线了吗？如果属实，朝鲜的意图和目的是什么？

这期的早报播客《东谈西论》，听主持人韩咏红与《联合早报》驻北京的记者于泽远详细解析朝鲜的加入将如何影响俄乌战争的局势，乃至东北亚的和平。

Reports of North Korea's potential involvement in the Ukraine war have sent ripples through the international community. South Korean intelligence claims Pyongyang is preparing to send up to 12,000 troops, including special forces, to aid Russia. This claim, while unverified, alleges that an initial contingent of over 1,500 soldiers has already arrived in Vladivostok. The situation has raised alarms, with Ukrainian President Zelensky concerned about another nation entering the fray. The emergence of unverified videos purportedly showing North Korean soldiers receiving equipment from Russian troops has further fueled speculation. 

This development raises critical questions about North Korea's motivations and strategic intentions. The potential consequences of North Korean involvement are far-reaching. It could escalate the conflict, destabilise the region, and exacerbate existing geopolitical tensions, especially in Northeast Asia.

In this episode of Global Heartbeat podcast, join host Han Yonghong and Lianhe Zaobao's China News Copy Editor Yu Zeyuan as they explore the potential implications of North Korea’s military involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms.