If they’re co-belligerents, their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very, very serious issue, and it will have impacts not only in Europe, it will also impact things in the Indo-Pacific.”
We know that thousands of DPRK troops are in Russia to be trained. We don't know what their mission will be or if they'll go on to fight in Ukraine,
But we do know that if they do this, it signals President Putin's growing desperation in his war against Ukraine. Russia is suffering extraordinary casualties on the battlefield every day. If Russia needs to turn to DPRK for manpower, that's a sign of desperation — not strength — on the part of the Kremlin,
If these troops are destined to fight in Ukraine, it would mark a significant escalation in North Korea's support for Russia's illegal war and yet another sign of Russia's significant losses on the front lines,
The planned deployment of about 10,000 troops from North Korea to Russia is expected to have occurred by December,
Signs of troops being trained inside North Korea were detected in September and October. It appears that the troops have now been dispersed to multiple training facilities in Russia and are adapting to the local environment.”
There is evidence that there are [North Korean] troops in Russia,
Russian instructors are assessing that the North Korean military has excellent physical attributes and morale but lacks understanding of modern warfare such as drone attacks,
This is a challenge, but we know how to respond to this challenge. It is important that partners do not hide from this challenge as well,
The Russians are going to appreciate some of the backfilling and assistance,
What exactly they're doing is left to be seen, ... We're trying to gain better fidelity on it." ... It'
It will help them in securing and reinforcing their lines of supply for artillery mainly because North Korea is an artillery power,
The Ministry of Defense has consistently stressed that the corps carrying out this order must be aware of the background of why such a move is necessary, and that its main purpose is to maximize defense capabilities against possible conflict with hostile countries,
Let us steadfastly defend the southern border of our country and inscribe a legacy of countless victories,
They’re not going to break up the Koreans and stuff them into Russian units,
South Korea says one thing, then the Pentagon says they have no confirmation of such statements,
North Korea gets to bring back home some combat experience,
What we’ll see is Korean units acting together as Korean formations. The Korean ones will be in liaison with the Russians, and they will get their orders back and forth,
Should reports be true on North Korean soldiers in Ukraine and should North Korea now be supporting the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine with troops, this would be serious and in violation of international law,
North Korea is our close neighbor, our partner, and we are developing our relations in all areas. This is our sovereign right,