NIS on 'North Korea Troop Deployment to Ukraine' Report: "Tracking with Possibility of Truth in Mind"

NIS "Also Cooperating with Ukraine"

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated on the 16th that it is "conducting precise tracking with the possibility of it being true in mind" regarding reports that North Korea sent troops to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response to inquiries about reports from Ukrainian media on North Korean troop deployment, the NIS said, "We are cooperating with the Ukrainian side to verify the facts."

The Ministry of National Defense also stated, "There is a possibility that military or civilian personnel are being supported, and we are closely tracking the situation."

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The government is closely monitoring the trends of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the related reports," adding, "We have serious concerns about reports that cooperation is expanding beyond arms trade to include arms production and the dispatch of military personnel."

He continued, "Any cooperation that directly or indirectly aids North Korea's military buildup is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and subject to international community surveillance and sanctions," emphasizing, "We once again urge the cessation of illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea."

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that the Russian military has organized and is operating a battalion-sized unit of about 3,000 personnel composed of North Korean troops. One Ukrainian outlet reported on the 3rd that among about 20 Russian personnel killed by their missile attack on the Donetsk front, six were North Korean soldiers.