The U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, confirmed today that North Korea has sent about 10,000 soldiers to receive training in Russia.

Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Pentagon, stated: "We believe that North Korea has sent about 10,000 soldiers for training in eastern Russia," noting that this is likely to lead to an increase in Russian troop presence near Ukraine in the coming weeks.
She added that Ukraine would not face any new restrictions on using American weapons against North Korean forces if they engaged in combat against Ukrainian troops, noting that some of these Korean soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine.
Singh expressed Washington's concern about Moscow's intention to use those forces in combat or to support combat operations against Ukrainian forces in the Russian "Kursk" region near the border with Ukraine.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced earlier today that South Korea and the United States will hold "two plus two" talks between the defense and foreign ministers of both countries this week, amid rising tensions following North Korea's deployment of troops in Russia.