North Korean Troops: The White House has issued a stark warning following reports that North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia and may join the fight against Ukraine. If confirmed, this move would mark a significant escalation in the conflict and a sign of desperation for the Kremlin, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that North Korean soldiers could soon be seen on the front lines, following reports from South Korea that 3,000 troops are already in Russia for training. “If North Korean soldiers join the fight against Ukraine, they will be considered legitimate military targets,” Kirby emphasized during a press briefing.
According to intelligence reports, the soldiers traveled from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia, by ship. They are currently receiving training on drones and other military equipment at various Russian military sites. The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and working to understand the full scope of North Korea’s involvement.
South Korean lawmakers have raised concerns that Pyongyang plans to send up to 10,000 troops by December. These troops are believed to be receiving military training before potential deployment to battlefields in Ukraine. Reports indicate that Russia is training North Korean forces in modern warfare techniques, including the use of drones, but there are concerns that the troops may face heavy casualties due to a lack of experience in contemporary conflict.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called this development “very serious,” highlighting that it reflects Russia’s growing challenges in the war. “This is a sign of weakness from President Putin. If he is turning to North Korea for manpower, it shows that he is in more trouble than people may realize,” Austin said.
The involvement of North Korean soldiers in Russia’s war effort could violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting arms trade and military cooperation between the two countries. Kirby also noted that the North Korean-Russian military cooperation poses a serious violation of these international agreements.
The U.S. government has not yet confirmed whether these soldiers will engage in combat, but the potential for North Korean involvement has alarmed both the U.S. and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on global allies to respond to this new threat, stressing the need for swift action as North Korean troops may soon enter the conflict.
The Kremlin has dismissed the reports as “fake news,” while North Korea’s UN representatives labeled them “groundless rumors.” However, U.S. intelligence suggests that North Korean forces are being trained and could soon be deployed to the frontlines, further complicating Russia’s military strategies.
If North Korean soldiers do participate in combat, it would significantly escalate the conflict, drawing attention to the deepening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. For North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, this partnership could also bring military and technological benefits, including advances in missile technology, which remain a priority for the North Korean regime.
The potential deployment of North Korean troops is a troubling sign of how the war in Ukraine continues to evolve, with global powers becoming more deeply involved. The international community now watches closely as these developments could have far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.
