US Says Evidence Shows North Korea Sent Troops To Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict
Austin stated that if North Korean forces were indeed preparing to engage alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, it would be “very, very serious.”
The United States has revealed that it possesses evidence indicating North Korea has dispatched 3,000 troops to Russia, potentially for deployment in Ukraine.
This development could signify a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict, according to U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who addressed the issue during a press conference in Rome, Reuters reports.
Austin stated that if North Korean forces were indeed preparing to engage alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, it would be “very, very serious.”
He further explained, “There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia,” using North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
White House spokesperson John Kirby elaborated later, confirming that at least 3,000 North Korean troops are reportedly undergoing training at three military bases in eastern Russia.
The U.S. determined that these soldiers were transported by ship in early to mid-October from the Wonsan region of North Korea to Vladivostok, before being moved to training sites.
Kirby remarked, “If they do deploy to fight against Ukraine, they’re fair game,” emphasising that Ukrainian forces would defend themselves against North Korean soldiers just as they do against Russian soldiers.
In South Korea, lawmakers indicated that Pyongyang has committed to providing approximately 10,000 troops, with deployment expected to conclude by December.
Park Sun-won, a member of a parliamentary intelligence committee, noted that “signs of troops being trained inside North Korea were detected in September and October,” following a briefing from the national intelligence agency.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has evolved into a war of attrition, primarily along eastern front lines, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides.
The U.S. suggested that the alleged North Korean deployment may further illustrate challenges within the Russian military regarding manpower.
Despite these claims, the Kremlin has dismissed the reports from Seoul as “fake news,” while a North Korean UN representative described them as “groundless rumours” during a recent meeting.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any weapons transfers, though they have pledged to enhance military cooperation, having signed a mutual defence treaty in June.
Following a report from Seoul’s National Intelligence Service, it was stated that North Korea had sent around 1,500 special forces personnel to Russia by ship, likely to be deployed in the ongoing war after training and acclimatisation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has also accused Pyongyang of preparing to send 10,000 soldiers to Russia, urging allies to respond to this involvement.
