North Korea sends troops to aid Russia in Ukrainian conflict
North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine. The U.S. State Department has stated that Kim Jong Un's military involvement in the war must end.
What you need to know
- The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's war with Ukraine, emphasising the need for Pyongyang's support to come to an end.
- A State Department representative has stressed that third countries, such as North Korea, must 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 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 had denied that North Korean soldiers were participating in the war against Ukraine.
The deployment of soldiers occurred several months ago when thousands of North Korean troops were sent to Russia, to fight on the front in the Kursk region.
In the autumn, Ukrainian intelligence estimated that the number of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia could exceed 10,000. At the time, Pyongyang's representatives 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.
