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The U.S. is deeply concerned about reports that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russia, stated Sean Savett, spokesperson for the National Security Council, according to Voice of America.
“We cannot confirm whether these reports are accurate, but if true, it would signify a dangerous escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Savett said.
He noted that if North Korea joins Russia, the U.S. will consult with its allies and partners regarding the implications of “such a dramatic move.”
The National Security Council also indicated that this action would reflect Russia’s growing desperation as it continues to suffer extraordinary losses on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine.
“If Russia is truly forced to turn to North Korea for manpower, it will be a sign of desperation, not strength from the Kremlin,” Savett concluded.
Meanwhile, increasing evidence of expanding military partnership between North Korea and Russia is raising new concerns in Washington, where officials understand that Moscow is making a decisive yet desperate push in its war against Ukraine, analysts report.
The heightened sense of concern emerged after U.S. ally South Korea accused North Korea on Friday, October 18, of sending 1,500 special forces soldiers to Russia’s Vladivostok earlier this month, with plans for further deployment.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service stated that it identified North Korean special forces using artificial intelligence facial recognition software, noting that the soldiers were equipped in Russian uniforms and carried Russian equipment and identification.
Ukrainian officials corroborated this information by releasing video footage reportedly showing North Korean forces at the Russian Serhiyivka training ground as they prepare for deployment.
