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USA: North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war, with political consequences

2024-10-24 19:00:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

USA: North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war, with political

The United States says it has evidence that North Korean soldiers have gone to Russia. As Voice of America correspondent Carla Babb reports, the confirmation from US officials came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that two North Korean military units are training in Russia, apparently to be sent to the war front in Ukraine.

US officials say it is unclear if, when and how North Korean troops based in Russia could become involved in the fight against Ukraine.

“What exactly are they doing? It remains to be seen," said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The involvement of several thousand North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine may have little impact on the battlefield. But analysts say the political implications would be far-reaching.

"North Korea appears to be moving from a strategic partnership with Russia, providing weapons in support of Moscow's war, without participating on the battlefield itself, to a partner participating in the war. This makes the relationship between Russia and North Korea an alliance," says Charles Kupchan of the Council on Foreign Relations.

The White House raised concerns about this relationship, which it called reckless and dangerous.

"The concern is not just about the war in Ukraine, but the impact this could have on the Indo-Pacific region, and (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un benefits to some extent from that," John Kirby, spokesman for the United States National Security.

Mr. Kirby said Washington will contact Beijing to find out how China views the move. He also issued a warning to Pyongyang:

"If North Korean soldiers decide to get involved in the war against Ukraine, they become a military target."

As for Russia, Mr Kirby said the involvement of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine would be a sign of President Vladimir Putin's desperation and weakness.

"If he is forced to look for soldiers in a foreign country, I think that speaks volumes about how insecure, how unstable the situation is."

The United States vowed to impose new sanctions in the coming days targeting individuals and groups outside of Russia who have supported Russia's war./ VOA