Pentagon responds to claims of North Korean troops in Russia 'devouring pornography'

The Pentagon has responded to claims that North Korean troops sent to Russia to bolster Vladimir Putin's forces are consuming online pornography as they now have less restricted internet access.

U.S. Defense Department spokesman Major Charlie Dietz said he “could not confirm any North Korean internet habits or virtual 'extracurricular activities'” in Russia.

He continued: “As far as internet access is concerned, this question is best addressed to Moscow. For now, our attention remains on supporting Ukraine and addressing the broader regional security concerns.”

North Korea's recent troop deployment to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, confirmed by both the US and NATO, has raised serious concerns across Asia and among Kiev's Western allies.

The move threatens to expand the nearly three-year conflict and raises security fears in South Korea and beyond about possible concessions Russia might make to North Korea in return.

Major Dietz's comments followed the claim of the Financial TimesGideon Rachman, chief foreign policy columnist, wrote on

Although internet access is not unrestricted in Russia, it remains far more open than in North Korea – one of the most tightly controlled countries in the world, which notoriously restricts its citizens' internet access. According to Statista, North Korea ranks first with the lowest internet penetration rate (as of October 2024).

Earlier this week, Ukrainian and North Korean troops fought small-scale battles for the first time, marking the beginning of Pyongyang's direct involvement in the war, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in an interview with South Korean public broadcaster KBS.

North Korean soldiers are reportedly embedded with Russian troops and wearing altered uniforms, making it difficult to confirm North Korean casualties, Mr. Umerov told KBS. He also expects that around five North Korean units, each with around 3,000 soldiers, will be stationed in the Kursk region near the Russian border with Ukraine.