US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Discusses North Korean Troops in Russia and Missile Launch
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken revealed that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with 8,000 stationed in the Kursk region. Although these troops have not yet engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces, Blinken expects their involvement soon. He made these remarks during a press conference with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III and South Korean officials.
Blinken criticized Russia, stating that President Vladimir Putin is showing weakness by relying on North Korean troops. He noted that Russia is experiencing significant casualties and has invited foreign troops for the first time in a century. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.
Blinken also condemned North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch. Japan’s Defence Ministry reported that the missile, launched on Thursday morning, flew eastward and landed outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This marks North Korea’s 12th missile launch this year and the first ICBM-class launch since December 2023.
Doubts Revealed
US Secretary of State -: The US Secretary of State is a high-ranking official in the United States government who deals with foreign affairs, like talking to other countries and making important decisions about how the US interacts with them.
Anthony Blinken -: Anthony Blinken is the person who is currently the US Secretary of State. He helps the US President with international relations and represents the US in discussions with other countries.
North Korean Troops -: North Korean troops are soldiers from North Korea, a country in East Asia. They are known for their strict military discipline and are usually under the command of their government.
Russia -: Russia is a large country that is located in both Europe and Asia. It is known for its vast land area and has a powerful military.
Kursk region -: The Kursk region is an area in Russia. It is one of the places where the North Korean soldiers are reportedly stationed.
NATO -: NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is a group of countries, including the US and many European nations, that work together for mutual defense and security.
ICBM -: ICBM stands for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. It is a type of missile that can travel very long distances, even between continents, and is often used to carry nuclear weapons.
Exclusive Economic Zone -: An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea zone over which a country has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources. It extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast of a country.