US, Ukraine say 8,000 North Korean troops in Kursk, including 3 generals

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 31 accused 8,000 North Korean soldiers of being present in Russia's Kursk region, while Ukraine said Pyongyang had sent more senior commanders.

Reuters reported that during a press conference between the US and South Korean foreign and defense ministers, Mr. Blinken accused Russia of training North Korean soldiers in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and basic infantry operations. Mr. Blinken emphasized that this showed that Moscow "fully intends" to use this force in frontline operations.

Press conference between the Foreign Minister and Defense Minister of the United States and South Korea on October 31 in the United States

The US secretary of state said that if North Korean soldiers were fighting in Ukraine, they would be legitimate military targets. “We have not seen those forces deployed against the Ukrainian military, but we expect that to happen in the next few days,” Mr. Blinken said.

The US diplomat said there are currently 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, including about 8,000 stationed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched an incursion and fierce fighting continues to this day.

NATO says North Korean troops in Kursk region support Russian troops

Also at the above press conference, held in Washington DC, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US will announce a new security assistance package for Ukraine in the coming days.

In a related development, the Ukrainian government on October 31 accused North Korea of ​​sending three generals and thousands of soldiers to Russia. In a speech at the United Nations Security Council, the Ukrainian delegation said the three generals were among 500 North Korean officials sent to Russia. Kyiv added that the North Korean soldiers are expected to be divided into five formations, each with 2,000-3,000 soldiers.

Ukraine named the three generals as Senior Lieutenant General Kim Yong-bok (commander of North Korea's special forces), Senior Lieutenant General Ri Chang-ho (Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Head of the General Reconnaissance Bureau of North Korea), and Major General Sin Kum-cheol (head of the General Operations Bureau of North Korea), according to Reuters.

Pyongyang has not yet responded to the Ukrainian delegation's statements.

Also at the Security Council meeting on October 31, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia affirmed that military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang is in accordance with international law.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-ukraine-noi-8000-linh-trieu-tien-o-kursk-gom-3-tuong-185241101092031417.htm