Blinken expects N. Korean troops to enter fight against Ukraine

The United States expects North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region to enter the fight against Ukraine in the coming days, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Oct 31 as he pressed China to use its influence to rein in Pyongyang.

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WASHINGTON -

Mr Blinken spoke after North Korea conducted its longest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test earlier on Oct 31 and South Korea warned that Pyongyang could get missile technology from Russia in exchange for helping with the war in Ukraine.

Mr Blinken said Russia has been training the North Korean soldiers in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, and basic infantry operations, indicating they fully intend to use the forces in front-line operations.

The top US diplomat said there were 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, including as many as 8,000 in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces hold territory after fighting their way into the Russian border area in August.

They would become legitimate military targets if they enter the battlefield, Mr Blinken said at a media conference in Washington with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts.

"We have not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days," he said.