House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) is demanding a classified briefing from the Biden administration after reports surfaced of North Korean troops being stationed in Russia. Turner warned that any North Korean involvement in the Ukraine conflict would cross a “red line” and called for immediate action from the U.S. and NATO.
In a letter to President Biden, Turner described the troop movements as an alarming escalation. He emphasized that the deployment of North Korean forces to Ukraine would require a strong and swift response to avoid further conflict in the region.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that 1,500 North Korean special forces have been sent to Russia’s Far East to train for combat in Ukraine. The soldiers are reportedly equipped with Russian weapons and will use fake identities to disguise their involvement.
Turner expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the Biden administration, noting that lawmakers have not been briefed on these developments. He called for an immediate briefing to assess the severity of the situation and the potential threat to U.S. interests.
Since August 2022, North Korea has supplied millions of rounds of artillery and missiles to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also warned that North Korea may be planning to send thousands of additional troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war effort.
Turner’s call for action reflects growing concern about the international implications of the Ukraine conflict as North Korea’s involvement becomes more apparent.