North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine war has elicited a strong response from German media and government officials. On October 23, the German government summoned a North Korean representative to express its protest, marking the first European country to take such action. German media have described this development with alarming headlines, including one stating “The Path to World War III,” reflecting the seriousness of North Korea’s military support for Russia.
According to reports, the German Foreign Ministry expressed concerns on social media platform X, stating, “If reports about North Korean soldiers being sent to Ukraine are true, this would constitute a serious violation of international law.” They emphasized that North Korea’s support for Russian aggression poses a direct threat to peace and order in Germany and Europe.
In a recent warning, the South Korean government indicated that North Korean troops have already arrived in Russia, while Ukraine confirmed that North Korean forces are assisting Russia. The United States has stated it will verify the information, and NATO has cautioned that such actions could have severe consequences. Germany stands as the first European nation to warn North Korea in this manner.
Despite the official stance, some German citizens believe the Foreign Ministry’s response is too tepid. One commenter noted, “North Korea’s ‘support’? They are directly attacking free Europe — they are attacking us. This is already a war, dear Foreign Ministry.”
German media coverage of North Korea’s alleged military participation in Ukraine is notable. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung used the striking headline “The Path to World War III,” while Die Welt remarked that this is the first significant military presence from the Far East in Europe since the Mongol invasions, nearly 800 years ago.
Additionally, North Korean state media recently reported that leader Kim Jong-un inspected a strategic missile base and examined the transport and launch facilities for North Korea’s most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18. Accompanied by sister Kim Yo-jong and several military officials, Kim emphasized the “key role” of North Korea’s missile forces in deterring war and declared that strengthening missile capabilities is a “top priority.”
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong-un inspected facilities related to North Korea’s “strategic deterrent forces,” asserting that these capabilities are vital for national security. Photos from the event showed Kim standing in front of the massive Hwasong-18 missile while also viewing hypersonic missiles known for their unpredictable flight paths, which make them difficult to intercept.
During the inspection, Kim pointed out, “The strategic nuclear capability of the United States presents an increasingly severe threat to our security environment.” He stressed the necessity for North Korea to enhance its military deterrence capabilities and adopt “comprehensive and stringent nuclear countermeasures.” He also called for further modernization and fortification of strategic missile base facilities.
