Seoul: South Korea's defense ministry has criticized North Korea following its official confirmation of sending troops to Russia to support the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ministry described this announcement as an admission of criminal activities by North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea confirmed earlier that troops were dispatched to Russia under the directive of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This action was claimed to be in alignment with a mutual defense treaty with Moscow, with North Korean soldiers reportedly aiding Russia in regaining control over the Kursk region.
Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou stated at a press briefing that North Korean troop involvement in Ukraine constitutes an illegitimate act, violating the U.N. Charter and Security Council resolutions. Jeon emphasized that North Korea's acknowledgment of the deployment is an admission of criminal conduct.
The North's Central Military Commission, in a statement, asserted that the military activities of its troops in Russia are in full compliance with the U.N. Charter and international laws. The commission also labeled the mutual defense treaty with Russia as exemplary. Jeon countered this by calling it a deceptive attempt to justify North Korea's unlawful actions.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service disclosed in October that North Korea had decided to dispatch over 10,000 troops to Russia. Military estimates indicate that an additional 3,000 soldiers were sent to the Kursk region earlier this year in January and February.