N. Korea, Oct 24, (V7N) - Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that evidence suggests North Korean troops are in Russia, labeling their presence a "very serious" escalation in the ongoing conflict that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.

"There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia," Austin stated during a press briefing in Rome, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He emphasized the need to clarify the intentions behind their deployment, saying, "What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen."

Austin expressed concerns that if these troops are co-belligerents intending to participate in the war alongside Russian forces, it would have significant implications not only in Europe but also in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted that Russia is receiving support from other nations, including Iran and China, creating what he termed "an axis of aggressors" against Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported intelligence suggesting the preparation of two units with potentially up to 12,000 North Korean troops to assist Russian forces.

Earlier reports from South Korean lawmakers indicated that North Korea had sent 3,000 troops to Russia, a figure that doubles previous estimates. The lawmakers stated that Pyongyang had pledged to provide about 10,000 troops, with deployment expected to be completed by December.

While military analysts like Michael O'Hanlon from the Brookings Institution believe a few thousand troops may not significantly impact the battlefield, he raised concerns about the possibility of an expanded deployment. "The key question for me is: Will this expand into tens of thousands of troops?" O'Hanlon stated.

The recent numbers follow claims from Seoul's National Intelligence Service that North Korea dispatched approximately 1,500 special forces to Russia by ship. Signs of troop training in North Korea were noted in September and October, with reports indicating that these forces have now been spread across various training facilities in Russia.

Zelenskyy has called on international allies to respond to the evidence of North Korean involvement in the conflict. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied that arms transfers have occurred but have committed to strengthening military ties, having signed a mutual defense treaty in June.

A senior U.S. diplomat mentioned that Washington is consulting with allies about the implications of North Korean participation in the war, labeling it a "dangerous and highly concerning development."

Despite the lack of a public response from Pyongyang regarding the troop dispatch claims, South Korean lawmakers reported efforts by North Korean authorities to suppress news of the situation. Reports indicated that families of the selected soldiers were emotionally affected, leading to measures to isolate them in order to control rumors.

In training, Russian instructors have reportedly assessed that while North Korean troops possess strong physical attributes and morale, they lack modern warfare knowledge, particularly in drone operations, raising concerns about potential casualties if deployed to the front lines.

On Tuesday, South Korea's presidential office urged an immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia and hinted at the possibility of supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine if military ties between North Korea and Russia continue to deepen.

END/NYC/SMA/