US says about 8,000 North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk region

This article was originally published in English

Joe Biden’s administration has said about 8,000 North Korean troops are now in Russia near the border with Ukraine, and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight Ukrainian troops in the coming days.

The new figures mean Great increase compared to the previous dayWhen the Secretary of Defense, lloyd austinhe just said “Some” soldiers had moved towards the Ukrainian border In the Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces have fought to push back Ukrainian incursions.

It would also mean that most of the North Korean troops, whom the United States and its allies say have been sent to Russia, are now on the Russia-Ukraine border.

“The participation of the DPRK (North Korea) in the fight against Ukraine would mean worrying expansion of the conflict“The deployment of DPRK troops to Russia already represents a dangerous expansion of relations between Russia and the DPRK,” he said. Robert A. woodDeputy Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Nations at a session of the Security Council.

The United States has estimated that the total 10,000 North Korean soldiers They are based in Russia. Seoul and its allies say the number has increased 11,000While Ukraine has increased this figure 12,000 effective.

Ukrainian President,Volodymyr ZelenskySaid that although North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk, they have not yet participated in any combat.

deepen the relationship

steps taken by north korea Concerns have increased around the world about deepening its ties with Russia How could he escalate the war and what Russian military assistance would be given in return.

It was a major topic at a meeting of the leaders of the United States and South Korea in Washington this week, raising concerns that its presence North Korean troops could further destabilize the Asia-Pacific regionand expand Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

There is also doubt about North Korea may get new military technologies from Russia In return for the deployment and whether it could motivate other countries to send their troops to fight the war.

Meanwhile, the Director of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebotold the Security Council that both Russia and Ukraine have been receiving arms, ammunition and other types of military assistance from other countries, which has fueled the fighting.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yulcondemned the deployment “in the strongest terms” and called for immediate withdrawal of troops,

“North Korea’s aggressive actions are not only Threatens not only the European continent, but also the Korean PeninsulaAnd Seoul agrees to “take necessary measures accordingly”, he assured.