BRUSSELS — On Monday, South Korea’s top representatives will brief NATO’s North Atlantic Council about reports that North Korea has sent troops to Russia. This briefing follows the U.S. expressing deep worries about the potential use of North Korean soldiers in the conflict against Ukraine.
NATO, the military alliance, invited ambassadors from its Indo-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, to join the discussion. The North Atlantic Council is NATO’s main group for making important decisions.
Last Thursday, Ukraine’s military intelligence reported that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, are in Russia, training on five different military bases.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking on the same day, did not deny the presence of North Korean troops but noted that it was Russia’s right to manage its alliance with North Korea, which includes helping each other against outside threats.
Russia began its full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
