North Korea sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to fight in Ukraine in the Kursk region according to the Pentagon.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters that Russia might use the North Korean soldiers in combat operations against Ukraine.
The big picture: According to Singh, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that North Korean soldiers would be considered legitimate targets if used on the battlefield and discussed the matter with South Korea.
- NATO has confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in the Kursk region, calling it a significant escalation in North Korea’s involvement in the conflict.
Driving the news: The involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine adds pressure on Ukraine’s army and raises geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to reshape global power dynamics by seeking help from countries like North Korea for the war in Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that intelligence reports indicated North Korean troops would be entering the battlefield in Ukraine soon.
