NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte briefs journalists in Brussels on North Korean involvement in the Ukraine war. Photo: NATO
NATO have confirmed that North Korean troops have joined in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Australia, New Zealand and Japan were briefed alongside NATO ambassadors at their headquarters in Brussels by South Korean intelligence and defence officials.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters that Korean intelligence assessments confirmed that North Korean troops were sent to Russia, specifically to the Kursk region. About 3000 to 10,000 troops were sent, some media reports say.
“The deployment of North Korean troops represents a significant escalation … yet another breach of UN Security Council resolutions and … a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war,” Rutte says.
“NATO calls on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions immediately.”
Rutte says the deepening military co-operation between Russia and North Korea “is a threat to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security”.
“It undermines peace on the Korean Peninsula and fuels the Russian war against Ukraine,” he says.
“Pyongyang has already supplied Russia with millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles that are fuelling a major conflict in the heart of Europe and undermining global peace and security.”
Rutte says Russian President Vladimir is supplying North Korea with military technology and other support in exchange.
“… the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk is a sign of (President) Putin’s growing desperation,” Rutte says.
“Over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded … and he is unable to sustain his assault to Ukraine without foreign support.”
Rutte says NATO also discussed the need to further strengthen military support for Ukraine.
“We are actively consulting within the Alliance, with Ukraine, and with our Indo-Pacific partners on these developments, and we continue to monitor the situation closely,” he says.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong says that the reports of North Korean involvement are “deeply troubling”.
She says Australia stands by the global community against the war and against North Korea’s involvement.
