North Korea has dispatched around 10,000 troops to Russia for training and potential combat against Ukraine, according to the Pentagon, AP News reports.
Some North Korean soldiers have already moved near Ukraine, particularly to the Kursk border region, where Russia faces challenges against Ukrainian forces. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed the presence of North Korean military units in Kursk, marking a significant increase in Pyongyang’s involvement in the conflict.
US officials, including President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, described the deployment as dangerous and a significant escalation. Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun are set to discuss the situation, emphasizing that North Korean troops would be considered co-belligerents if they engage in combat.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov downplayed the situation, highlighting the security pact between Russia and North Korea, but refrained from confirming North Korean troops in Russia, instead pointing to the presence of Western military instructors in Ukraine.
