NewsNorth Korea may send troops to assist Russia in Ukraine conflict

North Korea may send troops to assist Russia in Ukraine conflict

North Korean military as Putin's cannon fodder? Pentagon is watching
North Korean military as Putin's cannon fodder? Pentagon is watching
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4:06 PM EDT, June 26, 2024

The Pentagon reports that the United States is observing the possibility of North Korea transferring troops to Russia. The North Korean army would participate in the war in Ukraine.

"I think that if I were commanding the North Korean military personnel, I would question sending my forces as cannon fodder in an illegal war against Ukraine," said the spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, General Patrick Ryder.

According to the military official, rumors of a possible involvement of North Korean troops at the front are something "that definitely needs to be monitored". "We have seen the losses of the Russian military. We will be watching this," he stated.

The United States and South Korea have accused the authorities in Pyongyang of providing weapons to Russia to be used during the war in Ukraine. Russia and North Korea have denied these allegations. Last year, these countries announced plans to deepen military cooperation during Kim's visit to Vladivostok, where he met with Putin in September.

Putin in North Korea

In June of this year, Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time in 24 years. The Russian leader met with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang and signed a treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership.

"The signed agreement provides, among other things, mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement," Putin stated after talks with the North Korean leader.

The Russian dictator also announced that Russia does not rule out developing military-technical cooperation with North Korea within the framework of this agreement. Russian media reported that security and international issues occupied a large part of the meeting with Kim Jong Un.