# China Tight-Lipped on North Korea's Russia Troop Deployment Confirmation

China faced renewed pressure to act as a responsible stakeholder in regional security, particularly when it comes to North Korea, after Pyongyang confirmed for the first time that it had deployed troops to support Moscow's war against Ukraine.

### A Multilateral Solution to the Conflict?

By Taejun Kang for RFA April 29, 2025

Taipei, Taiwan -- In a move that has sparked concern among the international community, North Korea on Monday acknowledged for the first time that it had sent troops to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. China, one of North Korea's few allies, was tight-lipped on the issue, reiterating its support for a "multilateral solution" to the conflict.

"We've stated our position on multiple occasions," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing on Monday. "China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear." When asked to elaborate on the situation, Guo declined to comment further, fueling concerns that China may be hiding something.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK, is North Korea's official name. The revelation comes six months after reports of North Korean troops being present in Russia first emerged. Ukraine estimates that as many as 14,000 North Korean soldiers, including 3,000 reinforcements to replace losses suffered by Russian forces, are currently fighting on the front lines.

### A Glimpse into China's Position

China has been under pressure to serve as a restraining influence on Pyongyang, as the US and its allies worry that the deployment of North Korean troops could dangerously escalate the Ukraine war. In October, Chinese foreign ministry officials dismissed suggestions that ties between North Korea and China had cooled in recent years.

However, sources close to the matter have revealed that North Korea "urgently repatriated" all of its IT workers based in the Chinese city of Shenyang after one of them was detained by Chinese public security authorities for allegedly stealing Chinese military technology. Authorities discovered extensive data related to Chinese weapons and military technologies on the detained worker's laptop, which had allegedly been obtained through hacking.

### A Rare Slip-Up for North Korea

While it is not uncommon for North Korean-linked hacking groups to target military institutions and defense companies worldwide, including in South Korea, it is rare for North Korea to be caught stealing information from its close ally China. The discovery of Chinese military information on the worker's laptop has raised questions about North Korea's intentions.

### A Call for Action

As tensions escalate in Ukraine, China faces a growing expectation to act as a responsible stakeholder in regional security. With its position on the crisis consistent and clear, it remains to be seen how China will respond to the situation.

The US previously voiced concern to China over "destabilizing" actions by North Korea and Russia, saying that Beijing should be concerned about steps taken by Russia to undermine stability and security. Will China take a firmer stance on this issue, or will it continue to maintain its neutral stance? Only time will tell.