US "concerned" after North Korea confirms troops deployed to Russia

The United States has expressed concern following North Korea's confirmation that it has deployed troops to fight alongside Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

Thus, the US State Department voiced its unease, labelling Pyongyang's "direct involvement" in the conflict as a cause for concern, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

A spokesperson for the department stated in an email, "North Korea's military deployment to Russia and any support provided by the Russian Federation [to North Korea] in return must end."

The confirmation came after North Korean state media reported that its troops had made an "important contribution" in assisting Russia to expel Ukrainian forces from Russian territory, likely referring to the Kursk region. This was followed by Russia's official acknowledgement of the deployment of North Korean soldiers on the frontlines.

Ukrainian officials have estimated that Pyongyang sent approximately 14,000 troops to aid Russian forces, including 3,000 reinforcements to replace casualties.

Additionally, a Reuters investigation revealed that millions of shells from North Korea had been supplied to the frontlines, bolstering Russia's military efforts against Ukraine.

To recall, North Korea's state-run KCNA confirmed the deployment of its troops to Russia, reporting that they had made a key contribution to the expulsion of Ukrainian forces. The report further stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally decided to send the troops and informed Moscow accordingly.

The confirmation came a day after Russia acknowledged the presence of North Korean soldiers at the frontlines. Russian General Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of General Staff, expressed his gratitude for the assistance, telling President Vladimir Putin, "I want to point out the participation of servicemen from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the liberation of the Kursk Region's border areas, who, in accordance with the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries, provided significant assistance in defeating the invading group of the Ukrainian armed forces."

He added, "Soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army, carrying out combat missions shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, displayed high professionalism, fortitude, courage and heroism in repulsing the Ukrainian invasion."

By Aghakazim Guliyev