North Korean Troops Integrated into Russian Forces at Platoon Level, Says South Korean Defence Minister
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Seoul, Nov 28 (NationPress) North Korean military personnel stationed in Russia have been incorporated into the Russian armed forces at the platoon level, raising concerns that these troops may serve as 'cannon fodder' in perilous regions, stated South Korea's Defence Minister on Thursday.
Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun made this statement during a session of the Parliamentary Defence Committee when a legislator from the ruling party inquired about intelligence reports indicating that North Korean soldiers have been assimilated into company-level units within the Russian military in platoon formations, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
“It is crucial to recognize that the conflict is orchestrated by Russia, and from the perspective of the leaders of Russian military units, it is probable that they will deploy the North Korean platoons to the most hazardous and challenging locations,” Kim emphasized, asserting that the term 'cannon fodder' aptly characterizes the current situation.
His comments followed statements from Ukrainian officials who noted that North Korean troops in Russia have been integrated into Russian military units composed of ethnic minorities or have been disguised as local inhabitants.
Kim also reiterated his position that South Korea should dispatch a military monitoring team to Ukraine, although he indicated that discussions regarding such deployment are not currently taking place within the Defence ministry, suggesting that a broader governmental dialogue is ongoing.
Regarding the potential supply of weapons to Kyiv, Kim mentioned that South Korea aims to 'act in solidarity with the international community,' rather than directly addressing the matter.
On Wednesday, a Ukrainian delegation, led by Kyiv's Defence Minister, visited South Korea for discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol, National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik, and Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
The delegation exchanged intelligence regarding the escalating military collaboration between Russia and North Korea and deliberated on joint strategies to confront security challenges, according to the presidential office.
However, the specifics of the intelligence shared and whether the delegation sought military assistance from South Korea remain unclear.
