UK says North Korean ‘combat troops’ fighting for Putin on ‘European soil is shocking’ – London Business News | London Wallet

The British Defence Secretary has said it is “highly likely” North Korean combat troops to “Russia has begun” to help Vladimir Putin win the Ukrainian war.

John Healey said on Tuesday that Pyongyang troops waging Russia’s war of aggression on “European soil” is shocking.

Downing Street are watching the developments closely and it not known what the UK can or will do once North Korean troops start to actively fight in Ukraine.

Healey told MPs in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, “In a concerning new development, it is now highly likely that the transfer of hundreds of combat troops from North Korea to Russia has begun.

“North Korean soldiers supporting Russia’s war of aggression on European soil – it is as shocking as it is desperate.”

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Shadow foreign office minister Alicia Kearns is urging the government declares North Korea as a “combatant” in the “renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

Kearns told the Commons during oral questions on Tuesday, “In the last week, troops have arrived from North Korea in Russia. They are training in Russian fatigues based on videos we have seen.

“In addition, we know that Russia has procured multiple weapons to aid the murder of Ukrainians from North Korea.

“Putin has seized the escalation ladder, so will the minister now not declare North Korea a combatant in the renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine…and confirm what unilateral, multilateral action he will be taking in response to this?”

Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty told MPs “We absolutely condemn what North Korea is reported to have been doing, and indeed, of course, you’ll have seen in the response to the Iranian transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia that we acted strongly, swiftly and firmly.

“And we are very closely monitoring what Russia is providing to the DPRK in return for its provision of arms and military personnel and we are deeply concerned about the potential for further transfers, including of ballistic missile related technology that would obviously jeopardise peace and stability, not only in Ukraine, but indeed across the world.”