North Korean troops in Ukraine stir global diplomatic tensions

U.S. and UK intelligence have confirmed the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. Officials from both countries estimate the number at approximately 10,000. However, they noted that the military personnel would first undergo training in eastern Russia before heading to the Kursk region. The language barrier is said to be an obstacle to swift actions.

South Korean officials estimate the number of North Korean soldiers in Russia to be around 13,000. According to CNN, this information has already been shared with NATO. Additionally, the South Korean authorities are analyzing the possibility of providing military aid, which would contradict their policy of not arming countries in a state of war. A decision will be based on the level of North Korean military involvement.

Meanwhile, as CNN reports, the United States has urged China, which maintains good relations with Pyongyang, to intervene and pressure North Korea to withdraw from Ukraine.

“We have communicated with the PRC about this matter to make clear that we are concerned about it, and that they ought to be concerned about this destabilizing action by two of its neighbors, Russia and North Korea,” quotes the portal Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.

Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, has reportedly instructed the U.S. government that other countries should also pressure China regarding the presence of Korean troops in Ukraine.

According to CNN sources, Western officials are not optimistic about Chinese intervention. “China has continued to be a 'critical enabler' of Russia’s war effort, according to the NATO official, and is still fueling Russia’s defense industry with substantial amounts of dual-use goods,” we read in the publication.