Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has confirmed that North Korea has deployed troops to Russia, marking the first time a senior US official has publicly acknowledged this development. The move comes as North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their ties following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Austin stated that there is evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, although their specific activities remain unclear. Reports from Ukraine and South Korea suggest that thousands of North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
The US is currently assessing the role that North Korean troops may play in the conflict and whether they might be deployed to Ukraine. Austin emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that North Korea's involvement could have far-reaching implications beyond Europe, potentially impacting the Indo-Pacific region as well.
Questions remain about what North Korea stands to gain from assisting Russia and the nature of their agreement. Recent months have seen an increase in military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, raising concerns in Kyiv and Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned about the presence of North Korean troops fighting on behalf of Russia, estimating that up to 10,000 soldiers and technical personnel may be involved. Ukrainian intelligence sources have indicated that North Korean personnel are primarily assisting with engineering tasks and sharing information on ammunition use.
Additionally, South Korea's National Intelligence Service has reported that North Korea has dispatched 1,500 soldiers, including special forces fighters, to Russia for training purposes.
