The deployment of North Korean troops in Russia has sparked significant concern among US, South Korean, and Japanese national security advisers, according to a statement from the White House. The officials expressed their apprehension over the potential use of these troops against Ukraine, viewing this as a troubling development in the strengthening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
During a briefing, White House national security spokesman John Kirby highlighted that the troop presence, along with ongoing arms and missile transfers, violates UN Security Council resolutions. He urged both Russia and North Korea to cease these activities, emphasizing the broader security implications of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently indicated that Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops starting this Sunday, although he did not disclose their specific destinations. Reports suggest that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, including high-ranking officers, are currently in Russia, receiving training at several military bases.
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russia but asserted that the implementation of a mutual defense treaty with Pyongyang is a matter for Moscow. Kirby noted that some of these North Korean soldiers could potentially engage Ukrainian forces in regions like Kursk, heightening tensions as the conflict continues.
