The White House has warned that North Korean troops deployed to Russia will face severe consequences if they participate in the Ukraine war.
According to Yonhap News, during a Wednesday briefing, John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, revealed that the U.S. estimates North Korea deployed at least 3,000 soldiers to eastern Russia between early and mid-October.
“We assess that between early to mid-October, North Korea moved at least 3,000 soldiers into eastern Russia. We assess that these soldiers traveled by ship from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia,” Kirby explained.
He added, “We do not yet know whether these soldiers will enter into combat alongside the Russian military, but this is…certainly a highly concerning probability. After completing training, these soldiers could travel to western Russia and then engage in combat against the Ukrainian military.”
Kirby noted that the initial group of 3,000 North Korean soldiers is currently adapting to their new environment while receiving basic combat training at three Russian training centers.
When asked about the potential impact of North Korean troops on the situation in Ukraine, he remarked that it is too early to make an assessment, given the uncertainty surrounding their intentions.
He also indicated that it is premature to speculate on the potential casualties North Korean forces might face upon deployment, as it remains unclear how and where Russia would utilize them.
However, Kirby stressed that if North Korean troops are deployed to fight against Ukraine, they will be considered “legitimate targets.” He added that Ukrainian forces will defend themselves against North Korean soldiers just as they do against Russian forces. Furthermore, he warned that North Korean troops engaged in combat against Ukraine could inevitably face casualties or injuries.
Kirby pointed out that Russian and North Korean forces must address language barriers and command-and-control challenges.
While he expressed uncertainty about what Kim Jong Un might gain from Russia in exchange for the troop deployment, Kirby voiced severe concerns regarding the implications of this move, not only for the war in Ukraine but also for the Indo-Pacific region.
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