Recently, the question of whether North Korea is sending troops to assist Russia in the conflict in Ukraine has drawn attention from the international community. According to South Korean intelligence, Kim Jong-un has dispatched soldiers to Russia. On Wednesday (October 23), United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that there is evidence of North Korea sending troops to Russia. This marks the first time a senior U.S. official has confirmed this development.
“We have seen evidence suggesting that North Korean troops have gone to Russia,” Austin told reporters in Rome. “What exactly they (North Korean soldiers) are doing remains to be seen.”
A senior government official informed CNN that thousands of North Korean soldiers have recently arrived in eastern Russia and are currently undergoing training. However, the specific mission of these soldiers has not been confirmed by the United States.
Austin mentioned in Rome that Putin “may be facing more trouble than most people realize.”
The United States does not believe that North Korean troops have arrived in Ukraine, but the movements of the North Korean military have raised deep concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict.
Austin stated that the U.S. is still trying to determine what role North Korean soldiers will play in the conflict and whether they intend to go to Ukraine.
“If they are wartime allies, their intention to represent Russia in this war is a very, very serious issue that will not only impact Europe but also the Indo-Pacific region,” the U.S. Defense Secretary said.
When asked about what Russia would gain from North Korea sending troops, Austin mentioned that the U.S. is also working to ascertain this.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin has strengthened ties with North Korea and obtained weapons from the country, leading to international condemnation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned that North Korean troops are fighting on behalf of Russia.
A source from the Ukrainian intelligence department had previously informed CNN that a few North Koreans have been cooperating with the Russian military, primarily assisting with engineering issues and exchanging information about North Korean ammunition use.
South Korean intelligence agencies have reported that North Korea has transported 1,500 soldiers to Russia, including special forces personnel.