North Korean troops poised for combat in Russia's kursk region
According to estimates, about 8,000 of the 10,000 soldiers sent from North Korea are currently in the Kursk region. The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, said they are expected to join the fight soon.
During a joint press conference with Blinken and the South Korean defence and foreign ministers, Austin stated that they currently estimated there were approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia, with the latest information suggesting that around 8,000 of them had been deployed in the Kursk region. He added that although they had not seen these soldiers deployed in combat against Ukrainian forces, they expected this to happen in the coming days.
Austin added that Russia is training the North Korean soldiers in artillery, drones, and basic infantry operations, which indicates plans to utilize these forces fully at the front.
He commented that if these troops were to engage in combat operations or combat support against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets.
The South Korean defence minister was asked whether Pyongyang's actions would influence Seoul's decision to provide Ukraine with offensive weapons. He responded that he is "not in a position to provide specifics" at the moment. He emphasized that their government would make the final decision after the active involvement of the DPRK troops in combat.
China is watching the situation
The South Korean foreign minister, Cho Tae-yul, noted that China, a traditional ally of Pyongyang, is closely watching the actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's military.
China is currently observing and waiting. If the situation worsens, China, as a mediator or in another role, may intervene. If China’s interests are threatened, it is at that moment that China will start playing a role, Cho explained.
