Putin Did Not Deny Sending Troops to North Korea... "It's Our Business to Handle"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deny the large-scale deployment of North Korean troops to Russia on the 24th (local time), stating, "It is our business to decide what and how to do with North Korea." This is the first time President Putin has mentioned the deployment of North Korean troops.

According to TASS, AFP, and other agencies, at a press conference concluding the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, a U.S. journalist asked President Putin about satellite images supporting the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. He responded, "The satellite images are serious, and if the photos exist, they must reflect something."

President Putin mentioned that the Russian State Duma ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea that morning, which includes provisions related to mutual military assistance. He added, "It is our business to decide what and how to do under these provisions," and said, "We are cooperating with our North Korean friends."

South Korea's National Intelligence Service and Ukrainian authorities have continuously presented evidence of North Korean troop deployments to Russia. The United States also announced the previous day that it estimates North Korea moved at least 3,000 soldiers to Russia between early and mid-October.

Until now, Russia has dismissed the North Korean troop deployment rumors as "fake news" and "disinformation." However, with President Putin not denying the deployment, there is speculation that Russia may acknowledge the related facts in the future.

On the same day, Ukraine's military intelligence agency reported that North Korean troops were spotted in Kursk, where Ukrainian forces are operating, according to local Ukrainian media. Regarding this, the U.S. Department of Defense took a wait-and-see stance. Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of Defense, explained at a briefing, "There is evidence that North Korean troops went to Russia, and we need to observe exactly what they are doing. This is something we are monitoring."