EU “concerned” by reports of North Korean troops in Russia – DW – 10/25/2024

The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said this Thursday (10/24/2024) that the Community Club is “deeply concerned” by the information that North Korean troops are being sent to Russia to fight. And described Pyongyang’s actions in the Ukraine war as “unilateral hostile action.”

“This would be a unilateral hostile act by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that would have serious consequences for European and global peace and security. This incident also once again demonstrates how Russia is spreading instability and tension in the region and around the world. ” Borrell made the announcement in a statement issued on behalf of the entire EU.

The Community’s politicians assured that potentially sending North Korean troops would be “a serious violation of international law, including the most basic principles of the UN Charter.”

“The EU is extremely concerned by reports that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is sending troops to take part in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” he said.

Putin defends mutual military assistance treaty

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin defended the treaty of mutual military assistance in case of aggression signed with North Korea this Thursday, but did not confirm the deployment of North Korean troops to be sent to Ukraine, as Seoul and the United The United States has condemned.

“(Satellite) images are serious things. If those images exist, something must be happening,” Putin said cryptically at a news conference in the Russian city of Kazan.

NATO today joined South Korea and the United States in condemning the arrival of North Korean troops into Russian territory, where they may already be training to enter the war.

Russia ratifies assistance treaty in case of aggression

Without mentioning the possible presence of North Korean troops at any time, Putin highlighted that on Thursday the Duma, or Chamber of Deputies, ratified the treaty signed by Moscow and Pyongyang last June.

“We have never doubted how seriously the North Korean leaders take our agreements,” he said.

Borrell says desperate Russia wants help with its war

Borrell said the EU “strongly condemns the deepening of military cooperation and arms transfers between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Russia, which blatantly violates several UN Security Council resolutions.”

“The EU urges North Korea to stop supporting Russia’s illegal war efforts,” the head of Community diplomacy said.

“Russia’s deepening military cooperation with North Korea sends a clear message: despite its declared willingness to negotiate, Russia is not sincerely interested in a just, comprehensive and lasting peace,” the Spanish politician said.

He added that “by contrast,” Russia “is escalating and seeking any kind of support for its war, including from actors who are seriously disrupting global peace and security.”

He stressed that the EU will coordinate with its international partners on the issue of sending North Korean troops to Russia, as well as regarding the “response” it will give.

He declared that Pyongyang’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine shows how “closely linked” European and Indo-Pacific security are.

North Koreans will already be close to the Ukrainian border

For its part, Ukraine assured this Thursday that Russia has deployed North Korean troops in the Russian region of Kursk, which is partly controlled by Ukrainian forces, giving rise to Western powers’ fears of a further escalation in the war. .

Japanese news agency Kyodo, citing military sources, said about 2,000 North Korean troops were moving to the border with Ukraine in the west of the country.

North Korean troops have completed their training on Russian territory and are now being transferred to the front in Ukraine to support Moscow in its offensive, this source told Kyodo.

The information comes after South Korea, Ukraine and the United States said that North Korea has already sent 3,000 troops to Russia, where they are training before entering the war, however, Seoul and Kiev According to reports, Pyongyang can mobilize 12,000 troops.

JC (AFP, EFE)