South Korea’s defense ministry estimates that around 12,000 North Korean troops will be deployed to Russia, joining forces with Russian military in a move that has been described as a significant provocation. The United States, along with South Korea and Ukraine, have confirmed this development and have made it clear that any troops sent to Ukraine will be considered fair game. The North Korean troops are expected to consist of special forces, military engineers, and artillery troops. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun reported to lawmakers that 3,000 troops have already been deployed, with a total number of 12,000 expected to join. The U.S. National Security Council also confirmed this, stating that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in eastern Russia by sea and are undergoing training at Russian military bases. It has been made clear that Ukrainian military will defend themselves against North Korean soldiers in the same way they defend against Russian soldiers, potentially resulting in dead and wounded North Korean soldiers in the conflict. The U.S. and its allies are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond to any military threats posed by North Korea’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
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