US should consider “direct military action” if DPRK troops enter Ukraine, Congressman Turner says

Turner said this on October 23, The Hill reports.

The congressman emphasized that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris “must make clear that North Korean troops entering this conflict are a red line for the United States.”

“If North Korean troops were to invade Ukraine’s sovereign territory, the United States needs to seriously consider taking direct military action against the North Korean troops,” Turner added.

Military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, North Korean soldiers in Russia

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

On October 22, the media reported that North Korea had sent not only infantrymen but also pilots of military aircraft to Russia. And the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the first soldiers from North Korea were to arrive in the Kursk region on October 23.

On Wednesday, October 23, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said there is evidence that North Korean troops are in Russia. However, according to him, it is not yet known what they will do there. And South Korean parliamentarians reported that the DPRK had sent 3,000 of its military to Russia.

Meanwhile, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said he did not believe that North Korean troops were involved in the war in Ukraine.

On October 23, White House Communications Advisor John Kirby said that if the DPRK military joined the fighting against Ukraine, they would be a legitimate target.