North Korea confirms troops supporting Russia in Ukraine war
North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine. The U.S. State Department stated that Kim Jong Un's military involvement in the war "must end."
What you need to know
- The U.S. State Department expressed concern over the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia's war with Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Pyongyang's support to cease.
- A State Department representative stressed that third countries, such as North Korea, bear responsibility for their actions in the war.
In an email sent to the media, a State Department representative expressed concern about North Korea's direct involvement in the war, emphasizing that the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia and any support provided to the Russian Federation by North Korea must come to an end.
The statement added that third countries, like North Korea, "bear responsibility" for this war.
North Korea participates in the war: Official confirmation
On Monday, North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine. The decision was reported to have been made based on a defense treaty with Moscow, according to the South Korean agency Yonhap.
Previously, Pyongyang denied that North Korean soldiers were participating in the war against Ukraine.
The deployment of soldiers happened several months ago when thousands of North Korean troops were sent to Russia, to fight on the front in the Kursk region.
In the fall, Ukrainian intelligence estimated that the number of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia could exceed 10,000. At that time, Pyongyang's representation at the UN called this information "groundless rumors."
The day before, the presence of North Korean soldiers in the ranks of its army was also officially confirmed by the Kremlin for the first time.
