[ad_1]
SEOUL, South Korea – A key U.S. ally announced Thursday that about 12,000 North Korean troops will be sent to Russia, vowing to “stand by and do nothing” in the face of this grave “provocation.” I made it clear.
The new estimate, shared by South Korea’s Ministry of Defense to NBC News, comes after the United States joined Seoul and Kiev in confirming the development, saying any troops sent against Ukraine would be “fair game.” Announced.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun informed parliamentarians on Thursday that North Korea plans to add a large force to the Russian military, consisting of special forces, engineers and artillery units, his office said. told NBC News. The total number is expected to reach 12,000, with 3,000 already deployed, he said.
That matches Washington’s assessment.
“They’re in order,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday, adding that the U.S. believes at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in eastern Russia by sea. said. Kirby said the soldiers moved in earlier this month and are training at several Russian military bases.
“They are a legitimate target, and the Ukrainian military will protect itself from North Korean soldiers just as it would protect itself from Russian soldiers,” he said. “There may be casualties among North Korean soldiers fighting with Ukraine.”
