WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a major escalation of the Ukraine conflict, North Korean soldiers are likely to join Russian forces on the frontlines against Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today following high-level 2+2 diplomatic meetings with South Korean officials at the State Department. Speaking alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, and National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Austin confirmed that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in eastern Russia, signaling a potential shift in global alliances and intensifying concerns over North Korea’s military alignment.
“Our intelligence indicates that 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently located in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, with preparations underway for their entry into combat,” Austin said. The secretary described the North Korean contingent as trained by Russian forces in critical military skills, including artillery deployment, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, and trench warfare tactics. Russia has outfitted these soldiers with Russian uniforms and equipment, Austin said, emphasizing that this preparation underscores Moscow’s intent to utilize foreign forces in combat against Ukraine.
Austin issued a stern warning: “If North Korean troops engage in combat or support operations against Ukraine, they will be treated as legitimate military targets.” The U.S. government has mobilized diplomatic efforts with allies and partners in response, reinforcing its commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and freedom. Austin reiterated the dire state of Russian manpower, pointing out that Moscow’s call for assistance from North Korea highlights President Vladimir Putin’s mounting struggles on the battlefield. “This move reveals just how desperate Putin’s regime has become, increasingly relying on foreign support as Russian casualties soar to over 1,200 per day,” Austin noted.
This North Korean deployment represents a historic first for Russia, which has not invited foreign troops onto its soil in more than a century. The unprecedented collaboration also further isolates Russia from the international community, reinforcing global perceptions of Russia’s weakened state, Austin and Blinken observed.
Austin and Blinken pledged continued and intensified support for Ukraine, including the provision of advanced military aid through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of allies dedicated to supplying Ukraine with essential military resources. “In the coming days, we will announce additional security assistance packages to Ukraine, incorporating advanced artillery, anti-air defenses, armored vehicles, and munitions,” Austin said.
Amid these developments, the U.S.-South Korea alliance is evolving into a broader, globally focused security partnership. Both Austin and Blinken underscored the deepening of interoperability and extended deterrence efforts between the two countries. “Today, we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening nuclear and strategic planning efforts, expanding deployments of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula, and enhancing collaborative responses in space and cyberspace domains,” Austin explained. This expanded cooperation includes new initiatives under the Nuclear Consultative Group and an agreement to invoke Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty in response to security threats in cyberspace or outer space.
The U.S. and South Korea have also emphasized bolstering trilateral security cooperation with Japan, further solidifying a regional alliance to counter escalating security threats from North Korea and beyond. “Together, the United States, South Korea, and Japan are advancing information-sharing initiatives, regional maritime security efforts, and conducting joint military exercises to prepare for emerging threats,” Austin noted. He referenced North Korea’s recent missile tests as a reminder of the growing urgency for regional security collaboration.
As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies with North Korea’s likely entry into the fray, the U.S. and its allies are rallying to provide Ukraine with critical military support while strengthening their defense posture in the Indo-Pacific. The decision by Pyongyang to side militarily with Russia may have significant implications for international security, testing the resilience of global alliances and the resolve of the free world in the face of authoritarian aggression.–News Desk