South Korea And The US Say About 10,000 North Korean Troops Are Already In Russia, Deployed To The Front Line?

Illustration of Russia and North Korea. (Twitter/@mfa_russia)

JAKARTA - The authorities of the United States and South Korea said some 10,000 North Korean troops had been in Russia, allegedly supporting the war in Ukraine.

The US State Department said about 10,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed in Russia's Kursk Region.

"We now estimate that 10,000 people have arrived in Kursk and could enter fighting in the coming days," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, told a news conference.

He commented on Western speculation regarding the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia. The spokesman said he was aware of reports the soldiers had fought in the Kursk Region, but could not confirm it.

"As we have said, we estimate that they will most likely enter the battle against Ukrainian forces," he said.

"And if they do, they will be the legitimate military targets," he added.

Sementara itu, Kementerian Pertahanan Korea Selatan mengatakan pada Hari Selasa, lebih dari 10.000 tentara Korea Utara telah tiba di Rusia untuk mendukung perangnya melawan Ukraina, dengan " jumlah yang signifikan" di daerah garis depan termasuk Kursk, dikutip dari Reuters.

The statement comes hours after the Pentagon said there were at least 10,000 North Korean troops in Kursk, near the Ukrainian border, but could not confirm reports that they were involved in the fighting.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence agencies said some 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia, with training taking place at five military bases.

"We understand more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, and a large number of them have been moved to frontline areas including Kursk," Seoul Defense Ministry spokesman Jeon Ha-kyou told a briefing, citing intelligence authorities.

However, Jeon said she had no information when asked if North Korea was involved in the fighting, and about South Korean media reports citing an unnamed government official, 40 North Korean soldiers had died on the battlefield.