Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that the presence of North Korean troops in the Ukraine conflict is likely to intensify the war initiated by Russia, as reported by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol‘s office following a recent phone conversation between the two leaders. Trudeau emphasized that the ongoing war will significantly affect the security landscape in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, advocating for enhanced collaboration between Canada and South Korea in response to the evolving situation.

On Tuesday, the United States confirmed the presence of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, a border area in Russia where Ukrainian forces executed a significant incursion in August, currently controlling hundreds of square kilometers. The Pentagon also noted that a few thousand additional troops were en route to the region. South Korean officials expressed concerns that some North Korean forces may have been deployed to the front lines and raised alarms about potential military support Russia might be offering to North Korea in exchange.

According to Yoon’s office, “Prime Minister Trudeau remarked that the likelihood of the Ukraine conflict escalating has increased due to the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, which will affect the overall security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific.” Yoon also mentioned that the speed of North Korean troop movements related to the Ukraine conflict has exceeded expectations, resulting in a precarious situation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in the conflict but emphasized that it is up to Russia to determine how to execute the partnership agreement he signed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June.

The Pentagon has revised its estimate, now suggesting that 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to eastern Russia for training, an increase from the previous estimate of 3,000 troops reported last Wednesday.