US Expresses Concern Over Reports of North Korean Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine
U.S. officials expressed concern on Tuesday about reports suggesting North Korean soldiers are fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed this week that North Korea has deployed soldiers to the conflict, citing intelligence briefings on “North Korea’s actual involvement in the war” in Ukraine.
This statement follows a report last week by South Korea’s defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who told South Korean politicians that it was “highly likely” six North Korean officers were killed in a recent Ukrainian missile strike on Donetsk.
Despite these reports, Russia has dismissed the allegations as “fake news.”
However, U.S. officials are taking the reports seriously.
“We are concerned by reports of DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] soldiers fighting on behalf of Russia, which if true would mark a significant increase in the DPRK-Russia defense relationship,” said Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense. “Such a move would also indicate a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine.”
Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, echoed Dietz’s concerns on Tuesday.
“We are concerned by the reports of DPRK soldiers fighting on behalf of Russia,” Miller said. “If that’s true, it would mark a significant increase in the relationship between those two countries, the relationship that you have seen develop over the past several months. It would also indicate a new level of desperation by Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties.”
Washington has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with ammunition and ballistic missiles, though Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these arms transfers. The two countries have not denied, but have instead vowed to strengthen military ties, which could include joint drills.
Russia and North Korea have deepened their relationship since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two nuclear-armed states signed a defense pact in June when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea.
Both Russia and Ukraine have relied on foreign fighters as their pool of draft-age men shrinks.
North Korea has recently increased production and testing of artillery and cruise missiles.
In March, Russia used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to end monitoring for violations of a ban on North Korea testing ballistic technology.
’ Liz Friden and Morgan Phillips as well as Reuters and