Austria and Germany summon heads of North Korean diplomatic missions over presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia
Illustrative photo: North Korean soldiers may fight against Ukraine (Getty Images)
Austria and Germany have summoned the heads of North Korea's diplomatic missions to their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The reason for this action is the information regarding North Korean soldiers in Russia, according to the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter (X) and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter (X).
"We summoned the Ambassador of North Korea to express grave concerns about reports of the presence of DPRK weapons & troops in Russia," the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry added that North Korea’s support for Russia in the war against Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law and undermines security in Europe and on the Korean Peninsula.
Similarly, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that if the information about North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is confirmed, it would be an extremely serious violation of international law.
"The Federal Foreign Office summoned the North Korean chargé d’affaires today. Support for Russia’s war of aggression also threatens Germany’s security and the European peace order," the German ministry added.
North Korean soldiers may fight against Ukraine
Recently, Russia and North Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. Following this, North Korean soldiers were spotted in Russia's Far East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that North Korea is now entering the war on Russia's side, assisting the occupiers with its soldiers.
Additionally, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, noted that the first North Korean soldiers could appear in the Kursk region as early as today, October 23.
