US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin made a statement on Wednesday, expressing concern about the deployment of North Korean troops to the Kursk region near Ukraine. According to official sources, the North Korean troops are wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment, which poses a threatening scenario. Austin emphasized that the US remains worried about the possibility of Russia employing these troops in combat, though he noted that it has not yet been confirmed.
The worrying sign is likely to be met with a stern response from the international community, as the move is seen as a destabilizing act. The US and its allies are discussing possible next steps, with the goal of dissuading Russia from using the North Korean troops in combat. Austin further emphasized that the US will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with its allies to prevent a potentially devastating outcome.
South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun shared insights on the matter, stating that he does not believe the deployment would necessarily trigger war on the peninsula, but could potentially increase security threats between the two nations. Kim also warned that there is a significant possibility that Pyongyang would demand higher technologies, such as nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, in exchange for the troop deployment.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (Image via Getty)
Meanwhile, South Korean officials estimate that the number of North Korean troops dispatched to Russia has increased to 11,000, with over 3,000 of them believed to have moved towards combat zones in western Russia. Some North Korean advance units have already arrived in Kursk, where Ukraine has successfully held territory after a surprise counter-attack in August.
The development has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the region, with concerns growing about the potential implications of such a large-scale deployment of troops. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this plot will develop, and whether any concrete action will be taken to address the issue.
