NATO chief comments on possible North Korean soldiers' participation in war against Ukraine
Photo: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Vitalii Nosach RBC-Ukraine)
NATO does not rule out the possibility that soldiers from North Korea could end up on the battlefield in Ukraine. However, the alliance has no confirmation of their involvement, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says.
According to the Secretary-General, the alliance is monitoring the situation in close contact with South Korea, as well as other colleagues from the Pacific region
“At this moment our official position is that we cannot confirm reports that North Koreans are actively now as soldiers engaged in the war effort,” he said.
At the same time, Rutte did not rule out that the situation could change.
“Anyway, even if North Korea is not physically on the battlefield, still they are helping to fuel Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine,” he added.
Participation of DPRK soldiers in the war
South Korea's intelligence service has announced that North Korea is participating in the war against Ukraine and has decided to send 12,000 soldiers, including a special forces unit. The movement of troops has already begun.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held an unscheduled security meeting with key intelligence, military, and national security officials to discuss the participation of North Korean troops in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Earlier, the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that about 11,000 North Korean troops would start fighting in Ukraine in November.
