US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a joint press conference with their South Korean counterparts who were on an official visit to Washington DC.
“8 THOUSAND OF THEM WERE DEPLOYED IN THE KURSK REGION”
Minister Blinken stated that the USA currently estimates that there are around 10 thousand North Korean soldiers in Russia, and said, “The latest information shows that 8 thousand of these North Korean forces are deployed in the Kursk region.” he said.
Blinken stated that they have not yet seen these troops engage in conflict against Ukrainian forces, but they predict that this will happen in the coming days.
“IT BECOME A LEGITIMATE TARGET”
Defense Minister Austin also stated that he has evaluations that Russia is training North Korean soldiers on basic infantry operations, including artillery and trench clearing, and said, “All this strongly indicates that Russia aims to use these foreign forces in front-line operations in its preferred war against Ukraine.” .” he said.
Noting that Russia also provides Russian uniforms and equipment to North Korean soldiers, Austin said, “If North Korean troops engage in combat or front-line support operations against Ukraine, they will make themselves legitimate military targets.” he said.
Austin stated that they are closely monitoring the developments in consultation with other allies and partners in the region.
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED
Russian President Vladimir Putin made an official visit to North Korea in June, and a “comprehensive strategic partnership agreement” was signed between the parties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced in his statement on October 25 that they had learned that Russia would deploy North Korean soldiers to the first combat zones on October 27-28.
In the statement made on the same day by the White House, it was announced that more than 3 thousand soldiers were brought to Russia to fight against Ukraine and some of these soldiers were probably deployed in the Kursk region.
Source: AA