NAPLES, Italy: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern on Saturday over reports that North Korea may have sent troops to Russia ahead of a possible deployment in Ukraine.
While he couldn’t confirm the reports, such involvement, if true, would escalate the situation Reuters reported.
South Korea’s spy agency reported that North Korea has dispatched 1,500 special forces troops to Russia’s Far East for training. These troops may be deployed to assist Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused North Korea of preparing to send 10,000 soldiers to support Moscow’s efforts.
NATO has yet to confirm North Korean military involvement, with NATO chief Mark Rutte saying no evidence has emerged to validate these claims. Both Russia and North Korea have denied any military personnel exchange or assistance in the Ukraine conflict.