U.S. Expects North Korean Troops to Deploy Against Ukraine in ‘Coming Days’
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hold a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun during a 2+2 meeting, at the State Department in Washington, DC, on October 31. Leah Millis/Reuters
U.S. Expects North Korean Troops to Deploy Against Ukraine in ‘Coming Days’
In a significant development, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the United States anticipates the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers into combat against Ukrainian forces “in the coming days.” This statement, made on Thursday, underscores the escalating military cooperation between North Korea and Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Increased Troop Presence
The Biden administration has disclosed that approximately 8,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, just near the Ukrainian border. This figure marks a considerable increase from previous estimates, which suggested that only “some” soldiers had been deployed to the area. “We’ve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days,” Blinken stated during a press conference alongside U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts.
Blinken further noted that Russian military forces have been training these North Korean troops in various operations, including artillery and drone usage. He emphasized that this training indicates Russia’s intent to utilize these troops in front-line operations, highlighting the increasing desperation of the Kremlin as the war against Ukraine enters another winter.
Implications of North Korean Involvement
Should these North Korean troops engage in combat, Blinken warned they would become legitimate military targets. The potential involvement of North Korean forces in the conflict raises global concerns about the escalation of the war and the nature of military support that Russia may be providing to North Korea in return.
The situation is further complicated by recent missile tests conducted by North Korea, including an intercontinental ballistic missile launch—the first in nearly a year. This test has been interpreted as a demonstration of North Korea’s advancing capabilities to launch long-range nuclear attacks, potentially threatening the U.S. mainland.
Joint Condemnation of Missile Launch
In response to North Korea’s missile test, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan issued a joint statement condemning the action as a “flagrant violation” of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. The statement highlighted concerns regarding the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly regarding the deployment of North Korean troops.
Current estimates suggest that there are around 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, with South Korean officials assessing the number to be closer to 11,000. The information about the troops in Kursk was revealed dramatically during a U.N. Security Council meeting, where U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood asked for clarification on Russia’s claims regarding the presence of North Korean soldiers.
Growing Military Ties
This latest development follows reports of North Korea supplying munitions to Russia. Earlier this month, the White House released images indicating North Korea had shipped 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia by rail. The deepening military ties between the two nations have raised alarms in the international community, leading to discussions about the implications for regional and global security.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, the involvement of North Korean troops not only complicates the situation on the ground but also highlights the broader geopolitical ramifications of the war, particularly in relation to U.S. interests and alliances in the region.
Focus Keywords: North Korea deploys soldiers to Ukraine, U.S. warns of troop involvement, missile tests and military ties, Kursk region military buildup, international security concerns
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