'North Confirms Russian Deployment' US: "Thousands of North Korean Soldiers Training in Russia"

"Putin Growing Increasingly Desperate"

The U.S. government confirmed on the 23rd (local time) that thousands of North Korean troops are being trained in Russia.

Regarding North Korea's deployment to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. government stated, "We do not know what their mission is or whether they will be deployed to the Ukraine war."

The U.S. government said North Korea's deployment "shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin is becoming increasingly desperate in the Ukraine war." It added, "Russia is suffering tremendous casualties on the battlefield every day," emphasizing, "If Russia has to rely on North Korean troops, it is a sign of desperation, not strength."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin became the first U.S. government official to confirm North Korean troops' deployment to Russia.

Secretary Austin stated in Rome, Italy, "There is evidence that DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) troops are in Russia." When asked about North Korea's deployment intentions, he said, "We have to wait and see exactly what they are doing," adding, "This is an issue we need to understand."

While the governments of Ukraine and South Korea have accepted North Korea's deployment to Russia as a fait accompli, the U.S. and NATO have expressed concern but have not confirmed the facts. According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service, about 3,000 North Korean troops have currently moved to Russia, and the total deployment is expected to reach around 10,000 by December.