The US government said on Thursday (October 31) that around 8,000 North Korean soldiers have entered the Russian Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, preparing to assist Russia in attacking Ukraine.
According to reports from the Associated Press, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had previously stated that some North Korean troops had been moved to the Kursk region. The Ukrainian military launched a cross-border attack on this region in early August and currently still controls the area.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a joint press conference with Austin, South Korea’s foreign minister, and defense minister in Washington, stated that regarding the 8,000 North Korean soldiers in Kursk, “we have not yet seen these forces engage in combat with the Ukrainian military, but we expect this to happen in the coming days.”
Blinken mentioned that Russia has been training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drones, and “basic infantry operations including trench clearance,” indicating their intention to use these troops in frontline combat.
According to US estimates, there are currently around 10,000 North Korean soldiers inside Russia, with South Korea and European allies estimating this number has increased to 11,000, while Ukraine believes it could be as high as 12,000.
North Korea’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with Russia have raised global concerns, with people worrying about the potential escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and the military assistance Russia may provide in return.
Blinken and Austin stated that the US is discussing next steps with South Korea and European allies, mentioning that the US will soon announce increased military assistance to Ukraine. The United States has already provided over $59 billion in military aid to help Ukraine resist Russian invasion.
Austin reiterated that Russia has provided North Korean troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, another indication that these North Korean forces could be used on the frontline.
Austin stated, “Without a doubt, if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they will make themselves legitimate military targets.”
However, he also noted that the involvement of North Korean troops in combat is unlikely to cause Ukraine to lose control of Kursk, as the 10,000 soldiers are far from enough to offset the number of casualties suffered by the Russian military in the conflict, which has reached over 500,000 over the past two years according to US estimates.