On Wednesday, the US said it had seen evidence that North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia for possible deployment in Ukraine.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said the North had shipped 3,000 troops, including special forces, to Russia’s Far East for training and acclimatising at military bases there, probably to be deployed for combat in the war.
Moscow and Pyongyang ties grew deeper after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and they signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal in June.
Putin has said the treaty included a mutual assistance clause for each side to help the other repel external aggression.
North Korea has supplied ballistic missiles and ammunition rounds to Russia for its war in Ukraine, Kyiv and its Western allies say. Pyongyang has denied this.
