North Korean Troop Deployment to Ukraine is a 'Red Line, ' says US Congressman

US Congressman Mike Turner, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, has urged President Joe Biden to provide an immediate briefing regarding reports of North Korean troops engaging in the Russia’s war against Ukraine. Turner asserts that this development could constitute a “red line” for the United States and NATO.

During a recent press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns about North Korea’s involvement in the war, claiming that the country is poised to send thousands of troops to support Russia. Following this, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate reported that nearly 11,000 North Korean infantry soldiers are currently undergoing training in eastern Russia.

South Korea’s intelligence agency further confirmed the situation, stating that approximately 1,500 North Korean soldiers had been dispatched to aid Russian forces, arriving in Vladivostok via Russian naval ships. These troops were reportedly equipped with Russian military uniforms, weapons, and forged identification documents.

In a letter to President Biden, Turner labeled the military collaboration between Russia and North Korea as an “alarming” escalation of the war. He emphasized that any North Korean troops entering Ukraine or launching attacks from Russian territory should be regarded as a serious provocation. “Your administration must make that absolutely clear and unequivocal,” he wrote.

Turner has requested a classified briefing for the House Intelligence Committee concerning the possible deployment of North Korean troops in the escalating war. Despite these reports, both the Pentagon and NATO have stated they cannot currently verify the presence of North Korean soldiers in the war.