White House "3,000 North Korean troops training in Russia...Ukranian forces will be targeted"

[Anchor]
The U.S., which has been cautious about the "suspension of sending North Korean troops," said it is highly likely to participate in the war by specifically checking the timing and path of the North Korean military's movement.

Russia has strongly warned South Korea not to intervene in the conflict, accusing it of false and exaggerated information.

I'm correspondent Kwon Jun-ki from Washington.

[Reporter]
The White House says at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers traveled to Russia by boat this month.

North Korean troops who crossed into Vladivostok, Russia from Wonsan, North Korea, were found to be scattered at various training sites in eastern Russia.

[John Kirby / White House National Security Council Communication Advisor] From Wonsan, North Korea, to Vladivostok, Russia by boat. North Korean soldiers moved to various military training sites in eastern Russia.

The White House has not confirmed whether North Korean troops will be sent to war, but says they are very concerned about the possibility of participating in the war.

I made it clear that if North Korean troops appeared on the battlefield in Ukraine, they would be a legitimate target.

[John Kirby / National Security Council Communications Advisor] If the North Korean military is deployed to fight against Ukraine, they are a legitimate game, a legitimate target. The Ukrainian military will defend itself against the North Korean military, just like the Russian military.]

The White House, which confirmed the movement of North Korean troops, has expanded its support for Ukraine and signaled the announcement of new sanctions targeting the country on Russia's side.

Ukraine has created and posted Korean-language videos targeting North Korean soldiers on social media.

It is about persuading people not to die meaninglessly in foreign lands, saying that if they abandon their guns and surrender, they can eat their fill in a safe camp.

[I want to live / Ukraine surrender hotline: prisoners of war in the camps receive three meals a day and their diet includes fresh vegetable bread with meat]

Russia has repeatedly denied the rumors of sending North Korean troops, saying they are false and exaggerated information.

The South Korean government's response to considering providing offensive weapons to Ukraine is embarrassing, claiming that it should not play with the terrorist regime, Ukraine.

He also strongly warned of South Korea's involvement in the Ukraine conflict, saying it will respond harshly to any measures that threaten Russian security.

This is YTN Kwon Jun-ki from Washington.



Photograph: Kang Yeon-oh
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video: Han Kyung-hee