White House spokesman John Kirby announced that North Korean soldiers joining Russia in the Ukraine conflict will be considered “legitimate military targets” for Ukraine. He reported that at least 3,000 North Korean troops have recently entered eastern Russia for training, with concerns they may engage in combat. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the seriousness of North Korea’s involvement. Meanwhile, China claimed to be unaware of North Korean troop presence in Russia, urging de-escalation in the region.
