Ukraine war: US confirms North Korean troops in Russia, Seoul warned against hasty reprisal
South Korean official had earlier said the country was considering sending lethal weapons to Kyiv if the North is involved in the Ukraine war
South Korea should be wary of intelligence manipulation for political reasons or hasty retaliatory action against the North for its alleged involvement in the Ukraine war, critics warn.
The comments come as Seoul reportedly considered sending a team of intelligence personnel to Ukraine. A top security official has also said South Korea might supply Ukraine with lethal weapons in response to any war collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin later on Wednesday said there was evidence that North Korean troops were in Russia, but it remained to be seen what they would be doing there.
“There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia,” Austin told reporters in Rome, using North Korea’s formal name – the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out,” Austin added.