U.S.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin listens to remarks by U.S. President
Joe Biden during a Cabinet meeting inside the West Wing at the White
House in Washington, U.S, September 20, 2024. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File
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Pentagon chief says he cannot confirm reports North Korean troops in Russia for possible Ukraine deployment
NAPLES,
Oct 19 (Reuters) - 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.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy
accused North Korea on Thursday of deploying officers alongside Russia
and preparing to send 10,000 soldiers to help Moscow's war effort. NATO
chief Mark Rutte, however, said this week there was no evidence of
Pyongyang's presence at this stage.
Russia
and North Korea both deny assertions that North Korea may have sent
some military personnel to help Russia against Ukraine.
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Reporting by Phil Stewart; additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien; editing by Diane Craft