North Korean Troops on Russia's Front?

South Korea's military intelligence agency hinted that North Korea might have sent a small group of soldiers to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. This news came out during a parliamentary audit in Seoul. An official from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said there could be some North Korean troops near the front lines, but they weren't sure. The Kursk border region in western Russia is where these North Korean troops might be heading. Ukrainian and U. S. intelligence agree that this could be the first stop for these soldiers. They might help Russia push back against Ukraine's surprise attack that started in early August. South Korea's intelligence agency hasn't heard of North Korean soldiers getting hurt in the war. But they think these troops could have a hard time because they aren't used to the area or the way Russia fights.North Korea didn't deny sending soldiers to Russia. They said if true, it's legal under international law. Nobody knows if these soldiers will cross into Ukraine. President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea said this deployment could happen soon. His government has been talking to NATO and EU leaders about this. Kim Jong Un's regime sent thousands of young soldiers, mostly special forces, to Russia. But they might not do well in battle because they don't have much combat experience. A former North Korean special forces member named Lee Woong-gil said these soldiers are too young and don't understand what they're getting into. He thinks many of them won't come back home. The U. S. Pentagon said around 10, 000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia for training and might fight Ukraine in the coming weeks. NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte said some North Korean units are already in Russia's Kursk region. This story is still developing.