Russia has dismissed claims by Ukraine and South Korea that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, labeling the claims as fake news.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova addressed the issue during a briefing, stating that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea does not violate international law. She further emphasized that claims of North Korea sending soldiers to Russia are “fake news and exaggerated information,” as reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Zakharova questioned South Korea’s reaction, noting that it was unclear why the country was raising concerns. She emphasized that the cooperation between North Korea and Russia does not violate international law nor pose any loss or harm to South Korea. She pointed out that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in need of continued Western support, was the first to announce the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia officially. Zakharova explained that the story first appeared in Ukrainian media and then was picked up by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), leading to the NATO Secretary General requesting a phone call with the South Korean President. She also noted that Ukraine had been urging South Korea to send weapons for the past two years.
She stressed that South Korea should not succumb to these Western provocations, saying, “We believe that the South Korean authorities should not be playing along with the Kyiv regime.” Zakharova warned that Russia would respond strongly to any measures threatening its security, urging South Korea to exercise caution and make sensible judgments.
Meanwhile, the U.S., initially cautious about verifying these claims, has begun to acknowledge the possibility of North Korean troops in Russia. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke in Rome on Wednesday and confirmed that “there is evidence of North Korean forces entering Russia,” as reported by CNN.
However, Austin urged restraint, adding, “What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen.” While the U.S. does not believe North Korean troops have reached Ukraine, Austin expressed concern that such movements could seriously escalate the conflict. He stated that the U.S. is working to determine what role North Korea will play and whether they intend to participate in this war on behalf of Russia, which would not only affect Europe but also have serious consequences for the Indo-Pacific situation.
Most Commented