Seoul: North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have been assigned to Russian military units at the platoon level, with a significant likelihood of being used in perilous areas, South Korea’s defense chief announced. Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun made this statement during a parliamentary defense committee session when queried by a ruling party lawmaker about intelligence suggesting North Korean soldiers have been incorporated into Russian military units in platoon groups.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim emphasized that the war is orchestrated by Russia, and it is probable that Russian military unit leaders would deploy North Korean platoons to the most hazardous and challenging zones. Kim highlighted that the term “cannon fodder” aptly describes the current situation. His comments followed Ukrainian officials’ claims that North Korean soldiers in Russia are part of Russian military units composed of ethnic minorities or disguised as locals.

Kim reiterated South Korea’s position on dispatching a milit
ary monitoring team to Ukraine but noted that the defense ministry is not currently discussing such a deployment, implying ongoing government-wide deliberations. Regarding South Korea’s potential provision of weapons to Kyiv, Kim stated that the country would align with the international community instead of directly addressing the matter.

A Ukrainian delegation, led by Kyiv’s defense minister, visited South Korea for discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol, National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik, and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. The delegation shared intelligence on the increasing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea and explored joint responses to security threats, according to the presidential office. However, specifics of the intelligence shared and whether the delegation requested South Korean weapons aid were not disclosed.