North Korea, a staunch ally of Russia, has entered the fray against Ukraine. North Korea is sending 10,000 troops to Russia to assist Moscow in its conflict with Ukraine. NATO has confirmed this involvement.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has issued a statement that some North Korean troops have already stationed themselves in Russia. In response, U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed grave concerns over the deployment of these forces in Russia.
Biden emphasized that North Korea has dispatched 10,000 troops to Russia under the pretense of training in Moscow.
What Did NATO Say?
NATO claims that North Korea has joined in the three-year-long conflict between Ukraine and Russia by sending its soldiers to Moscow to support Russia. Some of these troops are already positioned at the Kursk border in Russia.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Root affirmed the dispatch of North Korean forces to Russia, indicating their strategic placement in the Kursk region. This development underscores North Korea's participation in the Russia-Ukraine war and illustrates the growing scale of the conflict.
The Pentagon claims these soldiers are engaged against Ukraine. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh revealed that troops have been sent under the guise of training, but some have approached close to Ukraine.
She pointed out that these soldiers are being used by Russia in its war against Ukraine, raising significant concerns. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has previously warned Russia publicly that using North Korean troops in combat would result in them being considered combatants, with repercussions on Indo-Pacific security.
Putin's June Visit to North Korea
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to North Korea after 24 years, where he was warmly received by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Pyongyang Airport. Prior to this, Putin and Kim Jong Un last met in September of the previous year, when Kim visited Russia's Vladivostok.
