FALCON POWERS – The United States has described reports suggesting that North Korea is sending troops to support Russia in its war in Ukraine as a “serious development.” These warnings come after intelligence indicating an increase in military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, raising international concerns about further escalation in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
On Monday, the U.S. warned that North Korea sending forces to support Russia in Ukraine could represent a “serious development,” based on intelligence from South Korea.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood stated, “We have seen reports indicating that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has sent troops and is preparing to send more soldiers to Ukraine to fight alongside Russia.”
He added, “If these reports are accurate, it represents a very serious development and raises significant concerns, highlighting the strengthening military ties between North Korea and Russia.”
Wood confirmed that the United States is consulting with its allies and partners regarding the potential implications of this “dramatic” move.
Last week, South Korean intelligence reported that North Korea had decided to send “a large number of soldiers” to Russia to support its efforts in the war, noting that 1,500 North Korean soldiers are undergoing training in eastern Russia.
South Korean intelligence agencies estimated that North Korea could send up to 12,000 troops to bolster Russia.
For his part, U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel clarified on Monday that the department has not yet been able to definitively confirm the accuracy of these reports.
At the United Nations Security Council, French Ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Rivière indicated that the deployment of North Korean forces could lead to further escalation in the war. He stated, “The increasing support provided by Pyongyang to Russia’s war efforts raises severe concerns.”
