US State Department: North Korean soldiers in Kursk region may join battle within days
Photo: Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State (Getty Images)
The United States has identified approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region. They may join the battle in the coming days, according to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
"As the Secretary (Secretary of State Antony Blinken - ed.) said on Friday, 8,000 North Korean troops had made their way to Kursk. We now assess that as many as 10,000 have made their way to Kursk," Miller said.
He added that they may begin participating in combat in the coming days.
He also clarified that he could not confirm rumors that North Korean forces are already involved in the fighting against Ukrainian defenders. However, if DPRK soldiers join the battle, they will be considered legitimate targets.
North Korean soldiers in Kursk region
The US data on the presence of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region differs slightly from Ukraine’s reports.
Specifically, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced today, November 4, following intelligence briefings, that there are now 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.
He also highlighted that Ukraine’s partners' response to Pyongyang’s support for Moscow remains weak.
