WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – U.S. officials say North Korea has sent troops to Russia, but their specific purpose remains unclear. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says this development not only impacts Europe, but the Pacific as well. “If they are co-belligerents, their intention is to participate in this war on, on, Russia's behalf. That is, very, very serious issue,” said Austin.  For the first time, U.S. officials confirm what Ukraine and South Korea have said for a week, that North Korea is sending troops to Russia. “What exactly they're doing, left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out,” said Austin.  North Korea was already supplying munitions to Russia, in particular artillery shells, but now officials say the presence of North Korean manpower on the ground in Russia, and potentially Ukraine, is an escalation. “And it will have impacts not only, on, in Europe, it will also impact things, in the Indo-Pacific as well as in, South Korea or the Republic of Korea,” said Austin. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, traveling in Rome, says that Russia potentially relying on North Korea for backup may shine a light on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s current state. “This is an indication that, he may be even in more trouble than most people realize,” said Austin. The NATO Secretary General says South Korea plans to send experts to Europe next week to brief NATO leadership.