US defence chief warns of rising tensions as North Korean troops may support Russia in Ukraine

The potential participation of North Korean troops alongside Russia in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine could prompt various reactions from other nations and may escalate hostilities, said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

During a press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Austin stated that the presence of North Korean soldiers supporting Russia might encourage other countries to take action, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, Austin refrained from commenting on possible scenarios that could unfold as a result.

Austin further asserted that if North Korean forces were to engage alongside Russian troops against Ukraine, Ukrainian military personnel would have the right to defend themselves.

“If North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russian soldiers in this conflict and attacking Ukrainian soldiers, then Ukrainian soldiers have the right to defend themselves, and they will do so with the weapons we and others have provided. This is to be expected,” Austin stressed.

Austin stated that if they are indeed fighting alongside Russian soldiers, they are considered co-belligerents, making it reasonable to expect that they could be killed or wounded as a result of the battle.

This development adds a new layer of complexity to an already tense geopolitical situation, as the international community closely monitors the potential implications of North Korean involvement.

In a recent development, the Pentagon revealed that North Korea has allegedly sent around 10,000 troops to Russia for training, with some reports suggesting that these forces may soon be involved in combat operations against Ukraine. This condition has raised alarms among Western leaders, who fear it could exacerbate the nearly three-year-long conflict and further complicate diplomatic relations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed that certain North Korean units have already been deployed towards Ukraine, specifically in the Kursk region, which has faced considerable resistance from Ukrainian forces. Additionally, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged recent intelligence indicating the presence of North Korean military units in the Kursk area.

The anticipated deployment of North Korean troops is likely to intensify pressure on Ukraine's armed forces and escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, potentially affecting regional stability in countries such as Japan and Australia.

By Aghakazim Guliyev