WASHINGTON — A Pentagon spokesperson on Tuesday suggested that North Korean troops could end up as "cannon fodder" if deployed to assist Russian forces in Ukraine. This statement comes amid increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, sparking concerns over potential North Korean involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the speculation about North Korea's military involvement in Ukraine highlights significant risks. "If I were North Korean military personnel management, I would be questioning my choices on sending my forces to be cannon fodder in an illegal war against Ukraine," Ryder stated during a press briefing. He also mentioned the observed casualties in the conflict, indicating the potential dangers North Korean troops could face. Further, Ryder addressed discussions regarding South Korea's consideration of nuclear options in response to the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region in collaboration with South Korea, Japan, and other allies.
The recent treaty between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which includes a military assistance clause in case of an armed invasion, marks a significant rekindling of their Cold-War era alliance and has raised international alarms about the implications for regional and global security.