North Korean soldiers appear to be fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, according to Seoul’s defence minister.Kim Yong-hyun told South Korean politicians on Tuesday that it was “highly likely” that six North Korean officers were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike near Donetsk on October 3, as reported by Ukrainian media last week.
The suggestion comes as Pyongyang and Moscow’s ties grow. North Korea has denied that it is transferring armaments to Russia’s military for use in the invasion of Ukraine.
“We assess that the occurrence of casualties among North Korean officers and soldiers in Ukraine is highly likely, considering various circumstances,” Kim said, adding that Seoul expects Pyongyang to send additional troops to back Russia’s military effort.
“The issue of deploying regular troops is highly likely due to the mutual agreements that resemble a military alliance between Russia and North Korea,” he noted.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation that included a mutual defense pact. South Korea, backed by the US, alleges Pyongyang has become a significant supplier of weaponry to Russia for use in Ukraine. Both countries have refuted the charges.
Analysts have warned that North Korea’s recent rise in production and testing of artillery and cruise missiles may be in preparation for additional supplies to Russia.North Korea is barred by United Nations sanctions from any tests using ballistic technology