Washington: North Korea has sent at least 3,000 troops to eastern Russia this month, a White House official confirmed, amid concerns that they might engage in combat to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine after completing training. The revelation highlights potential elevated military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, raising alarm over its implications for regional security.
According to Yonhap News Agency, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated that these troops were transported from North Korea’s Wonsan area to Vladivostok, Russia, by ship, before proceeding to Russian military training sites in the region. While it remains unclear if the North Korean soldiers will actively participate in combat, Kirby emphasized the high probability of their involvement and the possibility of resulting casualties.
Kirby also warned that if the North Korean troops engage in combat, they would become “fair targets,” with potential casualties as they confront Ukrainian forces. He underline
d the violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions by Russia’s military collaboration with North Korea, including the procurement of arms and training.
The U.S. assessment aligns with South Korea’s intelligence, which estimates that about 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia, with a total of 10,000 expected by December. The United States plans to impose a significant tranche of sanctions targeting entities enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine outside of Russia.
The deployment was further confirmed by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who noted evidence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, though the specifics of their mission remain unclear. The situation underscores potential consequences for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. is seeking more clarity on North Korea’s motives and potential gains from this cooperation with Russia. The confirmation of the troop deployment marks a significant development, as Washington had previously not verified the reports, prom
pting speculation about intelligence discrepancies between the U.S. and South Korea.
The State Department is currently in the process of verifying the deployment, with Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel affirming confidence in South Korean intelligence and denying any gaps in analysis.