Dayton Reporter

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner has urged President Joe Biden to address the potential deployment of North Korean troops into Russian territory. In a letter sent to the President, Turner requested a briefing for the House Intelligence Committee on this development and called for the establishment of a "red line" regarding any use of North Korean forces against Ukraine.

The call for action follows reports from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at NATO headquarters, where he warned about 10,000 North Korean soldiers preparing to fight against Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of the situation in discussions with U.S. and other global leaders.

Public intelligence reports from Ukraine and South Korea suggest possible movements of North Korean troops on Russian naval vessels. However, there has been no briefing from U.S. intelligence agencies or the Department of Defense to relevant congressional committees about these developments.

Turner described these troop movements as "alarming" and an "extreme escalation" in the conflict in Ukraine. He stressed that such actions necessitate an immediate response from both the United States and NATO allies to prevent further escalation.

In his letter, Turner stated that any attack by North Korean troops from Russian territory or their entry into Ukrainian territory should be considered a red line by both the United States and NATO. He urged President Biden's administration to communicate this stance clearly.

Turner concluded by requesting an immediate classified briefing for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence regarding this potentially escalating situation involving North Korean troops.