Official announcements from the U.S. Department of Defense or North Korean or Russian government

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Confirms North Korean Troops in Russia, Calls Development 'Very Serious'

Oct 23, 2024, 10:43 AM

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that there is evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, marking the first official U.S. acknowledgment of North Korea's involvement. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, October 23, Austin stated, 'There is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia.' He described the development as 'very serious' and added that it remains to be seen what their exact role is, saying, 'What exactly they are doing? Left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out.' Austin noted that the presence of North Korean troops could have ramifications in both Europe and Asia.