Biden warns Ukraine to brace against North Korean troops
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Ukraine should respond if North Korean troops cross the border into Ukraine. He also expressed concern about the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region.
7:08 AM EDT, October 30, 2024
"It concerns me," said Biden when asked about the presence of North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia. He acknowledged that Ukraine should respond if Kim's soldiers "cross the border into Ukraine."
Pentagon confirms: Kim's soldiers are in Russia
On Tuesday evening, the Pentagon confirmed that several thousand soldiers from North Korea are heading toward Russia's Kursk Oblast, with a small number already present there.
Pentagon spokesman Gen. Patrick Ryder expressed concern over Russia's plan to involve North Korean soldiers in combat or support roles against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast.
He added that the situation is being constantly monitored, and consultations are ongoing with the Ukrainian side and other allies.
USA: No restrictions
Meanwhile, on Monday, Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh announced that the USA will not impose "any additional restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons" against Kim's soldiers.
During Monday's press briefing, Singh noted that if North Korean troops join the front lines, they would be engaging directly in the war. He emphasized that North Korea must consider the implications, especially given that Russian casualties and losses now exceed 500,000 soldiers.
As Singh stated, the estimated number of North Korean soldiers initially sent to training camps in eastern Russia is currently about 10,000. Some of them have begun moving westwards, toward Ukraine.
The Kursk Oblast is a Russian border area where, in August, Ukrainian forces launched an attack, occupying hundreds of square miles of territory.