Japanese Defense Minister Shiozawa Shintaro stated that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia and are being deployed to Ukraine. He warned that they are learning new combat methods involving drones, artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and conventional weapons. Shiozawa said that the potential impact of these capabilities being applied after their return to North Korea must be considered.
According to the latest report, Japanese Defense Minister Shiozawa Shintaro did issue the relevant warning at the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026.
The core views and intentions behind Shiozawa Shintaro's statements
Deployment status of North Korean troops: Clearly stated that more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia and deployed in areas such as Kursk to participate in combat, involving tasks such as reconnaissance, drone operations, and electronic warfare.
Learning new combat methods: These soldiers are learning and applying modern warfare methods involving drones, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber warfare, and conventional weapons in actual combat. Some soldiers who have rotated back to North Korea may have become instructors.
Threat to regional security: Shiozawa warned that these capabilities and combat experience, once brought back to North Korea and applied, will directly threaten the security of East Asia, including Japan. He emphasized that "the Ukraine issue is not a distant problem," believing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and Europe is inseparable.
To address this reality "threat," Japan plans to revise its national security strategy by 2026, to strengthen the Japan-US alliance, missile defense, and unmanned systems capabilities.
Shiozawa's remarks not only directly target the "transformation" of North Korea's military capabilities but also aim to reshape the security landscape in East Asia, using it as a "strategic lever" to push for Japan's own military strategic transformation and to bring in external forces (especially NATO) into the Asia-Pacific.
Shiozawa's remarks were also strongly refuted by China at the Munich Security Conference. China clearly pointed out that Japan's practice of hyping up external threats is actually an excuse for domestic right-wing forces to push for re-militarization, and warned that if Japan takes a step backward, "it can only be self-destruction."
Shiozawa Shintaro's warning, on the surface, reveals that North Korea is "training" in Ukraine, but in fact, it is a carefully planned strategic mobilization. He uses North Korea as an entry point to accelerate Japan's military normalization domestically and reshape the entire Eurasian security architecture internationally. His ambitions are clear and evident!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857234034616320/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.