The Russian invasion The outside world's response

South Korea: 3,000 soldiers from North Korea in Russia

North Korea has sent an additional 1,500 soldiers to Russia to fight against Ukraine. It is reported by several media with reference to a statement from the two politicians Park Sunwon and Lee Seong Kweun.

The politicians participated on Wednesday in a meeting together with the South Korean intelligence service, NIS. At the meeting, NIS head Cho Tae-yong informed the politicians that North Korea has now sent a total of around 3⁠ 000 soldiers to fight on Russia's side.

The approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers who are reportedly covered by the agreement with Russia may be in place in December, according to South Korea.

.....................................

Ukrainian call to North Koreans: "Give up"

Ukraine is calling on the North Korean soldiers sent to Russia to fight to surrender, the AFP news agency reports, citing a statement from a branch of the military intelligence service.

The statement comes after the head of South Korea's intelligence service, the NIS, said an additional 1⁠ 500 soldiers from North Korea had been sent to Russia.

The news has also sparked anger in Germany. The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that it has summoned North Korea's diplomat due to the country's support for Russia.

"North Korea's support for the Russian war of aggression threatens Germany's security and European peace," writes the German Foreign Ministry in a statement. 

.........................................

USA: Has proof of soldiers from North Korea in Russia

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says that "there is evidence" that North Korean soldiers are in Russia, several media reports. On Wednesday, he was asked about North Korea after South Korean intelligence said an additional 1,500 soldiers had been sent to fight in Ukraine.

- What exactly are they going to do? That remains to be seen. These are things that we have to sort out, Austin told reporters during a visit to Rome.

According to South Korea, North Korea plans to have around 10,000 soldiers in place in Russia in December.

..........................................

Kim Yo-Jong calls Ukraine and South Korea "lunatics"

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's sister Kim Yo-Jong calls Ukraine and South Korea "lunatics" after the countries warned that North Korea is sending soldiers to fight on Russia's side in Ukraine. That is reported by Bloomberg and Politico.

"They are disobedient dogs raised by the United States," she said in a statement.

She further says that South Korea has provoked them by sending drones over North Korea.

"Provocations against a nuclear weapon state can lead to a terrible and unthinkable situation."

The tone on the Korean peninsula has turned up lately. North Korea recently blew up the road connecting the countries, and Seoul announced this week that it sees North Korea's military cooperation with Russia as a threat to its security.