North Korea Admits Sending Troops To Russia, South Korea: Violating UN Charter And Security Council Resolution

JAKARTA - South Korea's Ministry of Defense criticized North Korea for its first confirmed deployment of troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, saying North Korea acknowledged its own criminal acts with the announcement.

North Korea confirmed it had sent troops to Russia on "order" by leader Kim Jong-un in accordance with Pyongyang's joint defense agreement with Moscow, claiming North Korean troops helped Russia regain control of Kursk.

"North Korean troops involved in Ukraine's war are illegal acts that clearly violate the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions," ministry spokesman Jeon Ha-kyou told The Korea Times April 28.

"By officially acknowledging it, (North Korea) has admitted its own criminal acts," he continued.

Furthermore, Jeon also mentioned North Korea's description of troop deployment in line with the spirit of international agreements as "fraud."

North Korea's Central Military Commission said in a statement North Korean troop military activity in Russia was "completely in accordance with the spirit of the UN Charter and other international law" and a joint defense agreement between North Korea and Russia served as "an example."

"It was just a fraudulent act aimed at beautifying North Korea's illegal actions," Jeon said, adding the military would closely monitor movements linked to a possible visit by Leader Kim to Russia.

Earlier, South Korea's National Intelligence Service said in October 2024, North Korea had decided to send more than 10,000 troops to Russia.

The military estimates that North Korea will send 3,000 additional troops to the Kursk region in January and February 2025.