North Korean troops already equipped with Russian weapons – DW – 10/30/2024

The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, assured this Wednesday (10/30/2024) that North Korean troops deployed in Russia have received Russian uniforms and equipment during their training in that country, and said that Washington and Seoul are at that level. Are closely monitoring the “unprecedented” cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

He said, “Some of these soldiers have already reached Ukraine and we see them in Russian uniforms and equipped with Russian equipment. I am increasingly concerned that the Kremlin is using these North Korean soldiers to support its war in the Kursk region of Russia.” Will do to support the campaigns.” Who gave a conference to the media along with his South Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun.

The Pentagon estimates that North Korea has sent about 10,000 soldiers by train to eastern Russia. “It remains to be seen whether they will be used in combat or not, but if they were used it would be very concerning. I’m not going to speculate on deployment, that’s something we discuss with allies and partners.” Will continue to work.” “Preventing Russia from deploying these troops in combat is a violation of UN sanctions.”

“Sheer lie”

Austin called on Pyongyang to withdraw its troops from Russia. Meanwhile, Kim Yong-hyun stated that although he does not believe that the North Korean deployment to Russia “will change the possibility of a war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula”, he estimates that it “could lead to a war.” “Increased threats to security” because it is possible that North Korea would receive technology transfers in exchange for aid to Russia.

“Such a change in the North Korean technological situation could mean an increase in security threats on the Korean Peninsula. However, it should be borne in mind that, as we have seen in the war between Russia and Ukraine, “the capability of conventional “In terms of weapons, Russia is not as good as we expected,” he stressed.

Austin said that if North Korean soldiers fight against Ukrainian forces, they have the right to defend themselves. “If they fight with Russian troops, they are co-belligerents, and there is every reason to believe that as a result they will suffer killed and wounded,” the Pentagon representative concluded, although it is not clear whether Russia. Who will these troops employ, “If there are 10,000 and some are moving towards the Ukrainian border, that’s likely to be the case.”

For his part, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, described the allegations as “sheer lies” aimed only at diverting attention from important problems that threaten international peace and security.

DZC (EFE, AFP)