US Confirms ‘North Korean Troops in Russia’ Amid Ukraine War
In a startling revelation, South Korean lawmakers have reportedly accepted that over about 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been fighting in support of the Russian forces who are fighting with Ukrainians, for more than two years now. The United States has also for the first time shared that it has evidence about the North Korean troops being in Russia and helping the latter.
The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia,”. North Korean forces were mentioned by him, already in the country, ready to help Russian troops in Ukraine. The concern was shared by the Defense Secretary amidst Kyiv`s allegation that the situation was grave and it remained to be seen what the Korean forces’ actual role will be in the ongoing conflict. These facts were exchanged during a press briefing in Rome.
Plans for more troops deployment from North Korea
There were plans to dispatch about 10,000 North Korean soldiers apart from the already present 3,000 army men in Russia, South Korean legislators disclosed. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared the above information in a press briefing. The legislators also added that further deployment might be completed by December this year and about 3000 troops presently in Russia, were nearly double the previously estimated number.
A Parliamentary Intelligence Committee member, Park Sun-won explained that troops were seen training in North Korea during September-October. “It appears that the troops have now been scattered across several training facilities in Russia and are adjusting to the local conditions,” he added further.
Manpower shortages were cited as a possible reason by Austin, for Russia involving Korea in the ongoing conflict. Russia’s invasion in February 2022 turning Ukraine into a bloody conflict zone has seen the war lengthening into a seemingly never-ending saga. On the eastern front lines, the battle has intensified and casualties are increasing on a day-to-day basis.
Defense pact already signed between Russia and North Korea
A defense pact signed at a summit in June vowed to strengthen military ties between the two nations. As of now, Moscow and Pyongyang are denying the facts about the troop deployment and weapons transfers, trying to downplay the allegations.
Upon the completion of the troops` training, they might be likely sent for combat duty to Russia through the ship. The NIS on Friday reported that North Korea was sending about 1,500 special forces personnel to the country. Accusing that North Korea was about to send 10,000 troops to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy implored the NATO allies to see through the matter.
“There are indications that North Korea has relocated the families of deployed soldiers to isolated areas to control the spread of rumors,” South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun told the press reporters here. Citing the spy agency sources, he further shared that North Korean authorities suppressed the facts about the troop deployment. Confirming that Russia had also recruited innumerable interpreters for the North Korean soldiers, he said that Moscow was also training them to operate drones.
South raises its concern regarding the development
Lee also added that the lacunae in the form of inexperience with modern war tactics, like operating the drones might severely hamper the gains in the battle. If, according to him, soldiers like these are placed on the front lines, it could mean heavy casualties. Russian instructors, however, have observed the demonstration of strong physical fitness and morale among the Korean troops already.
Insufficient manpower recruitment for Russia due to an estimated loss of 600,000 troops has prompted the country to deploy North Korean soldiers, According to Austin. The growing difficulties in recruiting manpower in the Army have resulted in the troops being either killed or wounded in large numbers.
South Korea’s Presidential office appealed for an immediate withdrawal of the North Korean troops from Russia. He further warned that if the situation was allowed to deteriorate further due to the deepening of military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, Seoul might think about sending lethal weapons to Ukraine.
Citing the possible repercussions of the yet unconfirmed reports, Germany gave voice to its concerns regarding North Korea`s involvement in supporting Russian aggression in Ukraine. Staying that to be a serious violation of international law, Germany summoned North Korean charge d`affaires over the issue of possible troop deployment in Russia.
The NIS, last week said that collaboration with the Ukrainian intelligence apart from using facial recognition technology had resulted in identifying North Korean officers in the eastern Donetsk region. The agency further added that the officers were assisting Russian forces in operating North Korean missile systems.
