North Korea confirms troop deployment to aid Russia in Ukraine
North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it sent its troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine. The U.S. State Department stated that Kim Jong Un's military involvement in the war "must end."
What you need to know
- The U.S. State Department expressed concern over the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's war with Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Pyongyang's support to end.
- A State Department representative stressed that third countries, such as North Korea, bear responsibility for their actions in the war.
"We continue to be concerned by [North Korea’s] direct involvement in the war. [North Korea’s] military deployment to Russia and any support provided by the Russian Federation to [North Korea] in return must end," a State Department representative stated in an email sent to the media.
The statement added that third countries, like North Korea, "bear responsibility" for this war.
North Korea participates in the war. Official confirmation
On Monday, North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it had sent its troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine. The decision was reported to be made based on a defence treaty with Moscow, according to South Korean agency Yonhap.
Previously, Pyongyang denied that North Korean soldiers were participating in the war against Ukraine.
The deployment of soldiers took place several months ago when thousands of North Korean soldiers were directed to Russia to fight on the front in the Kursk region.
In the fall, Ukrainian intelligence estimated that the number of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia could exceed 10,000. At the time, Pyongyang's representation at the UN called this information "groundless rumours."
The day before, the presence of North Korean soldiers in the ranks of its army was also officially confirmed by the Kremlin for the first time.
