Rome,OCT 23
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday there is evidence that North Korean troops are in Russia but it remained to be seen what they would be doing there.Austin said it would “very, very serious” if they are preparing to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine, as Kyiv has alleged.”There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia,” Austin told reporters in Rome, using North Korea’s formal name – the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out,” Austin added.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cited intelligence about the preparation of two units with possibly up to 12,000 North Korean troops who would take part in the war alongside Russian forces.
“We’ll continue to pull this thread and see what happens here,” Austin said of the intelligence analysis. “If they are co-belligerents, (if) their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very, very serious issue.”
The Kremlin has dismissed assertions that North Korea may have sent some military personnel to help Russia against Ukraine.
Since their leaders met in Russia’s Far East last year, North Korea and Russia have upgraded their military ties. They met again in June to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership that includes a mutual defense pact.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Russia has suffered more than 600,000 casualties of killed and wounded troops in the 2 1/2 year old war in Ukraine.
Austin said the North Korean deployment could be further evidence of the Russian military’s manpower issues.
“This is an indication that he may be even in more trouble than most people realize,” Austin said.
