U.S. Could Target North Korean Troops in Ukraine with American Weapons

The U.S. government has indicated that it may use American weapons against North Korean troops following their deployment to Russia.

According to Reuters, Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s Deputy Press Secretary, confirmed during a briefing on Monday that North Korea sent approximately 10,000 soldiers to eastern Russia. More than 3,000 of these troops have been dispatched to the front lines. She stressed that once North Korean forces move to the front, they become co-belligerents in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

When asked whether there would be restrictions on the use of U.S. weapons against North Korean troops, she replied that the U.S. is committed to supporting Ukraine at any cost. This statement effectively allows for the targeting of North Korean forces with U.S. weaponry.

Singh announced that the U.S. and South Korea will hold a foreign and defense ministers’ meeting this coming Thursday to discuss the issue of North Korean troops.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will participate, along with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul and Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun.

The U.S. government emphasized that discussions between the U.S. and South Korea will address the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia, along with North Korea’s other provocative actions. It also noted that the U.S. has clearly conveyed to China its concerns over the destabilizing behaviors of Russia and North Korea, its two neighboring countries.