U.S. Defense Secretary LLoyd Austin said on Saturday he could not confirm reports that North Korea has sent troops to Russia ahead of what could be a deployment to the war in Ukraine, but added such a move would be concerning, if true.
South Korea's spy agency said on Friday that North Korea has shipped 1,500 special forces troops to Russia's Far East for training and acclimatizing at local military bases and will likely be deployed for combat in the war in Ukraine.
Russia and North Korea both deny assertions that North Korea may have sent some military personnel to help Russia against Ukraine.
