US: High Possibility of North Korean Troops Dispatched by Russia Being Deployed in Ukraine War

The U.S. government expressed concern on the 30th (local time) that North Korean troops deployed to Russia might be sent into combat against Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated at a press conference that some of the approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to eastern Russia have moved to the Kursk region, which is close to Ukraine.

When asked about the expected timing of North Korean troops being deployed in the Kursk battle, he said, "We need to see if they will be sent to the battlefield," adding that the possibility is increasingly worrisome.

Secretary Austin explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already lost many troops in the Ukraine war and, if he issues a mobilization order to conscript more soldiers, the Russian people would learn the scale of troop losses. For this reason, he predicted a high likelihood of North Korean troops being deployed in combat.

He emphasized, "It is not certain whether North Korean troops will be deployed in combat, but there are clearly 10,000 soldiers, and some of them are moving westward toward the Ukrainian border, so there is a possibility they will be deployed. However, we will not speculate; we will observe and gather evidence."

Regarding the criteria for North Korean troops' participation in the war, he explained that they would become co-belligerents when they fight on the battlefield and attack Ukrainian forces.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, North Korean troops are currently wearing Russian military uniforms and have been provided with Russian equipment.

Secretary Austin said, "Even if Putin receives more help from North Korea, he will not win in Ukraine," adding, "Such a very concerning development only highlights the importance of South Korea and our allies." He also urged the North Korean leadership to cease actions that could destabilize both the Indo-Pacific and Europe, stating, "We urge them to withdraw their troops from outside Russia. This (North Korean troop deployment) could prolong or escalate the war."

Regarding speculation that other countries might also send troops to support Ukraine following North Korea's deployment, Secretary Austin said, "(North Korea's deployment) could encourage other countries to take action, different kinds of actions," adding, "I will not speculate on exactly what will happen, but there are various possibilities."

When asked whether weapons supplied by the U.S. to Ukraine could be used against North Korean troops, he explained, "If North Korean troops fight alongside Russian forces in this war and attack Ukrainian forces, the Ukrainian military has the right to defend themselves," adding, "They will do so with weapons provided by us and other countries." He further stated, "If they fight alongside Russian forces, they are co-belligerents," and "As a result, it can be expected that North Korean troops will be killed or injured."