WASHINGTON: A U.S. State Department spokesperson has refuted claims suggesting a lack of confidence in South Korean intelligence regarding North Korea’s alleged deployment of troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Despite Seoul’s confirmation of the troop dispatch, Washington has yet to verify the reports, raising questions about possible discrepancies in intelligence evaluations between the two allies.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s intelligence agency reported last week that North Korea has committed to sending approximately 12,000 troops to assist Russia, with around 1,500 soldiers already deployed. However, the United States has not corroborated this information, which has led to speculation about potential differences in intelligence interpretations. Vedant Patel, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson, dismissed these concerns, emphasizing the strong partnership between the U.S. and South Korea.
Patel clarified that the U.S. process of verifying reports of North Kor
ea’s troop deployment is still ongoing. “When we are speaking on behalf of the United States…we want to make sure to have the most up-to-date and accurate assessment,” Patel stated. He assured that the delay in confirmation does not reflect any mistrust in South Korean intelligence.
While Patel declined to comment on any potential responses to the North Korean troop deployment, he underscored the severity of the situation if the reports prove accurate. “If it’s true that DPRK soldiers are joining Putin’s war against Ukraine, it certainly would mark a dangerous and highly concerning development,” he noted, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Patel reiterated the U.S. commitment to consulting with allies and partners regarding the implications of such actions by North Korea and Russia.