North Korea's troops deployment to Ukraine risks escalating conflict - NATO Secretary General
Photo: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Getty Images)
If North Korea sends its troops to Ukraine to fight alongside Russia, this would significantly escalate the conflict, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated, according to Reuters.
Rutte reported that he had discussions with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol about the alliance's close partnership with Seoul, focusing on cooperation in defense and industry, as well as the interconnected security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
North Korean troops in Ukraine
According to Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, about 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are undergoing training in eastern Russia with plans to deploy to the war against Ukraine. They are expected to begin fighting as early as November.
Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, has appealed to partners for assistance.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked that this indicates the level of desperation among Russian leaders.
NATO officials do not rule out the possibility that North Korean soldiers could find themselves on the battlefield in Ukraine. However, the alliance currently has no confirmation of their involvement.
Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, urged President Joe Biden to recognize the use of North Korean troops against Ukraine as a red line for the US and NATO.
