Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, amidst speculation that they could soon be deployed to Ukraine. This statement came during a press conference where he discussed satellite images released by South Korea’s intelligence service, suggesting the sighting of soldiers on Russian soil.
“Images carry weight; they indicate something is happening,” Putin remarked to foreign reporters, according to The Washington Post.
He also referred to a newly ratified security treaty between Russia and North Korea, highlighting its mutual defense clause. “We have confidence in the North Korean leadership’s commitment to this agreement,” he noted.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed evidence of North Korean troops in Russia and warned that their involvement in the Ukraine conflict would be “very, very serious.” White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that the U.S. believes around 3,000 North Korean soldiers are undergoing training in Russia, and that, if deployed against Ukraine, they would be deemed “fair game.”
Last week, South Korea’s intelligence service reported satellite images showing North Korean troops at a training site in Russia’s Far East. They also utilized AI facial-recognition technology to identify a North Korean soldier allegedly present in Ukraine.
Estimates suggest that North Korea could send up to 12,000 personnel, including elite forces, most of whom may be in Russia by December. Additionally, Ukraine’s military intelligence revealed that some North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, where operations are ongoing.
North Korea has previously refuted claims of sending troops to assist Russia in the war, labeling them as “baseless rumors.” If true, it would mark the first instance of North Korean troops engaging in a foreign conflict.
Following these developments, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed that South Korea would not remain passive if troops are indeed being dispatched from North Korea to Russia. This stance may lead to a reevaluation of South Korea’s policy on supplying lethal weapons to nations involved in conflict.