The total number is expected to reach 12,000, he said, with 3,000 deployed already.
“They’re fair game” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday, saying that the U.S. believes at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in eastern Russia by sea.
The soldiers moved earlier this month and are receiving training at multiple Russian military bases, Kirby said.
“They're fair targets and the Ukrainian military will defend themselves against North Korean soldiers the same way they’re defending themselves against Russian soldiers,” he said.
“There could be dead and wounded North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukraine.”
Persons:
Kim Yong, John Kirby, Kirby, “, ”
Organizations:
NBC News, United, South Korean Defense, National Security, North Korean, Ukraine
Locations:
SEOUL, South Korea, Russia, United States, South, Seoul, Kyiv, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Ukrainian